West Brom enjoyed the lion's share of the possession after falling behind to a Cahill header in the first half at Goodison Park, but Tony Mowbray's side could not convert their dominance into goals.

A second Everton goal by substitute Louis Saha finally broke West Brom's spirit, and Cahill felt the result was a perfect get-well gift to Arteta, who ruptured knee ligaments in last weekend's stalemate with Newcastle.

"We had a big loss with Mikel Arteta; we were down in the week but we've picked ourselves up now and we did really well out there," Cahill told Sky Sports 1.

"The main aim for us is to take it a game at a time. We've got such a small squad. It's a credit to the players and the manger for the passion they show on the pitch."

He added: "I'm just happy to be getting the goals.

"We knew West Brom are a great passing team and they don't deserve to be at the bottom. We knew today was going to be one of the hardest games of the season."

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West Brom manager Mowbray felt that his bottom-placed side had performed well despite the defeat and reiterated his belief that they can still avoid the drop this season.

"We have been here many times this season where we felt we've done okay and we've played the type of game I want us to play," Mowbray told Sky Sports 1.

"Today we have asked more than enough questions to not lose this match 2-0.

"We're not as good at the muck and bullets, if that's the right way to put it, as other teams in this league, and sometimes we suffer from that.

"We've got some games at home that I believe we can dominate, and if we can stick it in the net I don't see why we can't win those.

"I'm not concerned. We knew from day one it was a tough ask. We're under no illusions."

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Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side had ridden their luck at times but was nonetheless delighted with the Toffees' clean sheet - their 11th of the season.

"I'm happy with the result, not the performance," he told Sky Sports 1.

"Credit to West Brom today; they passed it well and made it difficult for us.

"If there was one thing which I do take a positive from it was the goalkeeper, Phil Jagielka and all the boys at the back - I thought they were immense.

"We're delighted. Today was a game where we won without playing as well as we should have done. But nevertheless it's three points towards what we hope will be a good total come the end of the season."