Chris Hughton has no complaints about the red card for Anthony Knockaert at Everton which has left the French winger facing a long lay-off.

Knockaert was dismissed by referee Roger East deep into the second half of the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park for a two-footed jump tackle on Leighton Baines, who escaped unhurt.

Hughton (below right) said: "I've not spoken to Anthony. Of course I will, but I've got no complaints."

The Argus: Knockaert faces a three-match ban, ruling him out of next Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United and home games after the international break against his old club Leicester and Huddersfield.

The next match he will be available for is at Crystal Palace on April 14.

Hughton was disappointed by the display, which ended Albion's seven-match unbeaten run. Everton broke through when Theo Walcott appeared to volley in a cross, although it was credited in some quarters as an own goal by Gaetan Bong.

Cenk Tosun drove in a second and Mathew Ryan saved Albion from a heavier defeat with a superb late penalty stop from Wayne Rooney.

Hughton said of the performance: "I was surprised, particularly with the form we've been in. You can't come to Everton, who have been very good at home, and play at a level that doesn't allow you to get anything from the game.

"At half-time, having not played well, we were still very much in the game. For all the corners that they had and ball in that final third, they never really had clear chances.

"There was an opportunity for us to come out better and improve in the second half and unfortunately we didn't."

Albion missed Dale Stephens, who suffered a minor knock in training. Bong was also forced off, with his right thigh strapped.