West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis believes his side were impaired by key defensive injuries on Monday night.

The Baggies were beaten 3-2 by Everton at home despite leading by two goals with 35 minutes remaining and a major contributing factor, according to the boss, was the pre-game loss of Gareth McAuley and the in-game injury sustained by Jonas Olsson.

"We get the second goal and all we've got to do is be really tight and solid for 10 minutes and then the game will settle down again," he told Sky Sports.

"Unfortunately we gave a soft goal. I don't think it helped that we lost McAuley yesterday and then lost Olsson after 15 minutes, and they are two players that when crosses come in they defend them very well, and Everton have scored off two crosses.

"[Olsson] looks like he's done his groin, which is a worry, and with him and McAuley out we are struggling really."

Saido Berahino and Craig Dawson had Albion in a commanding position in the 54th minute but a brace from former loan star Romelu Lukaku, either side of Arouna Kone's equaliser, did the damage at The Hawthorns.