West Brom v Everton

West Brom 2

Long 65′ McAuley 82′

Everton 0

FT 90 +6
HT 0-0

Gareth McAuley celebrates his West Bromwich Albion goal

By Jonathan Jurejko BBC Sport

Unbeaten West Bromwich Albion recorded their best start to a Premier League season, ending Everton's 100% winning run in the process at The Hawthorns.

Baggies striker Shane Long swept in the close-range opener from substitute Peter Odemwingie's low left-wing cross.

And Gareth McAuley's thumping header sealed victory as Everton lost for the first time in 12 top-flight games.

Albion's historic start

2012-13: 7
2011-12: 0
2010-11: 3
2008-09: 0
2005-06: 4
2004-05: 3
2002-03: 0

Points after opening three Premier League games

Top scorer Marouane Fellaini slashed the Toffees' best chance wide just moments before Long's opener.

Republic of Ireland international Long also rattled the Everton crossbar with a crashing first-half header as Steve Clarke's men deservedly leapfrogged their opponents into third.

Everton have notoriously been slow starters in recent seasons but, after impressive wins against Manchester United and Aston Villa, were bidding for a third league victory in a row at the start of a campaign for the first time since 1993.

But Albion made it seven points from their opening three Premier League games with a well-earned triumph.

The reign of managerial novice Clarke, who was chosen to succeed Roy Hodgson in his first top appointment, has started with a wave of optimism.

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Second-half display pleases Clarke

And after a confident display against Everton, which followed a comfortable home win against Liverpool and a dramatic last-gasp draw at Tottenham, there is a feel-good factor around this part of the West Midlands.

Clarke, who enjoyed three wins against Everton as Liverpool assistant manager last season, showed he was not content to simply settle for a point when he introduced pacy attacker Odemwingie before the hour.

And the Nigerian used his speed to accelerate away from Everton right-back Tony Hibbert before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Long to convert from inside the six-yard box.

McAuley then lost his marker Fellaini to head in a right-wing corner from another of Clarke's substitutions, Chris Brunt, who was celebrating his 100th top-flight appearance.

Guy Mowbray BBC Match of the Day commentator

"What a start to Steve Clarke's tenure as West Bromwich Albion boss. Still unbeaten after three Premier League games and one cup match. Everton's winning run, though, is over. Albion were full value for this win over 90 minutes.

Both teams were clearly oozing confidence after their promising starts and showed a swagger in the early stages, settling quickly into crisp, passing phases of play.

But there was a lack of incisiveness in the opening half-hour until only the woodwork denied Long heading Albion in front from Liam Ridgewell's cross.

The visitors were shaken into life by the let-off and within seconds almost scored themselves when Fellaini looped a header onto the roof of the Baggies net.

Then, he skewed substitute Kevin Mirallas's cross wide when unmarked in the home penalty area after the break.

It proved costly with Long and then McAuley netting to leave Baggies fans celebrating at the final whistle.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke:

"We started a little bit slow in the first half, even though we had the best two chances. I felt second half we were a little bit more adventurous and got our reward for that.

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First goal crucial - Moyes

"Everton are a difficult team to play against and we didn't want to open up too early against them. We showed a bit of respect to Everton in the first half - probably too much."

Everton manager David Moyes:

"We made changes to try and win the game, brought Kevin Mirallas on, opened up the game a bit more. We weren't playing well enough in the final third, but it didn't improve anything.

"We gave away a poor goal on the counter attack and if you concede first in the Premier League it becomes difficult.

"Maybe when it was 0-0 I should have said 'sit back and take 0-0'. Sometimes you make decisions and they work - sometimes they don't."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

West Bromwich Albion

01 Foster
02 Reid Booked (Jones - 52' )
03 Olsson
06 Ridgewell
23 McAuley
05 Yacob
07 Morrison
17 Dorrans (Odemwingie - 57' )
21 Mulumbu
09 Long (Brunt - 75' )
32 Fortune

Substitutes

13 Myhill
25 Dawson
28 Jones
11 Brunt
08 Rosenberg
22 Gera
24 Odemwingie

Everton

24 Howard
03 Baines
06 Jagielka
15 Distin Booked
18 Neville Booked (Anichebe - 73' )
04 Gibson (Hibbert - 20' Booked )
21 Osman
22 Pienaar
25 Fellaini Booked
07 Jelavic
14 Naismith (Mirallas - 62' )

Substitutes

01 Mucha
02 Hibbert
05 Heitinga
23 Coleman
11 Mirallas
19 Gueye
28 Anichebe

Ref: Moss

Att: 25,383

Match Stats

Possession 63 37

Shots

14 12

On target

8 5

Corners

6 3

Fouls

11 15

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:15 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +3:39

The official flags James Morrison offside. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Howard.

90:00 +1:24

Phil Jagielka fouled by Peter Odemwingie, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.

90:00 +0:44

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Leighton Baines, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Marouane Fellaini misses to the left of the goal.

90:00 +0:21

The ball is sent over by Steven Pienaar, Jonas Olsson makes a clearance.