West Bromwich Albion manager Pepe Mel has applauded striker Victor Anichebe for claiming a point for the side in Sunday’s home draw against Liverpool.
The Reds faltered on a chance to hold on to fourth place after rivals Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur had dropped point(s) a day before, thanks to Ivorian defender Kolo Toure’s gaff.
But Anichebe, 25, ensured the Baggies resurgence in the second-half pay off with a 67th minute leveler after Daniel Sturridge had tapped in a Luis Suarez cross to put the visitors ahead.
![Anichebe Scores West Brom's Equaliser Against Liverpool. Image: PA.](https://informationng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Anichebe.jpg)
The Nigeria international, who was only on the pitch for three minutes after coming on for Saido Berahino, found a poor pass from Toure to drill in a low shot.
“He (Anichebe) is a good player,” former Real Betis coach, Mel said.
“The team now is good. The second-half was good and that is the way.”
The former Everton player, who has had to struggle with injury since moving to the Hawthorn last summer, revealed he had answered a call from the Toffees to help stop Liverpool on their track.
A win for Liverpool would have extended their lead over fifth-placed Everton to four points.
“I was sitting on the side itching to get on,” Anichebe said. “I got a text from one of Everton’s masseurs, Jimmy Comer, saying “help us do the Reds today.
“I felt I was going to some on and help the team, even though I wasn’t playing from the start. It’s always nice to score.
“Sometimes in the past I might have switched off (when Toure got the ball) but today I was ready, especially against Liverpool. I was there and I finished it.”
Everton, who were thrashed heavily by Brendan Rodgers men in Tuesday’s Merseyside derby, are now only two points behind their neighbours, while Spurs and United now trail the Anfield club by 4 and 7 points respectively.
Only goal difference was keeping Albion out of the bottom three before the game, but Anichebe’s goal now moves them to sixteen on the log.