West Bromwich Albion could finish as the midlands' highest-placed club in the Premier League after Youssouf Mulumbu scored Saturday for a 1-0 win over 10-man Everton.
The midfielder scored his seventh goal of the campaign after just 10 minutes of the Baggies' final home game.
Roy Hodgson's side is now four points clear of local rival Aston Villa, which visits Arsenal on Sunday. West Brom has collected 19 points from 11 games since Hodgson replaced Roberto Di Matteo in early February and has lost only twice.
Everton had substitute Diniyar Bilyaletdinov sent off in the 77th after just five minutes on the pitch for a challenge on James Morrison.
It was an open game with both sides free from the threat of relegation and opposing strikers Peter Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe were constant threats. More goals could have been scored given the chances created by both sides.
But Mulumbu got the only goal.
Chris Brunt chipped the ball forward and Odemwingie held off a challenge by Sylvain Distin before squaring the ball across the area to Mulumbu, who had a simple tap in from close range.
Bilyaletdinov was sent off after for a high challenge on James Morrison.
