Romelu Lukaku struck on his full debut as West Brom deservedly continued their excellent start to the season at the expense of struggling Reading.

Lukaku collected Shane Long's knock down before beating Alex McCarthy from 18 yards with 14 minutes remaining.

Jonas Olsson had earlier hit the post and McCarthy twice denied James Morrison as West Brom dominated.

The result takes Steve Clarke's team up to third in the Premier League, while Reading have slipped to the bottom.

Reading's Brian McDermott disappointed in defeat

Brian McDermott's Royals have only a solitary point from their first four games since returning to the top flight.

In truth, there was not a huge amount between the two teams during what was a pretty mediocre match, but the Berkshire club have now conceded eight in their last three league fixtures and did not create many chances against the Baggies.

Reading looked to wide men Jobi McAnuff and Garath McCleary as their prime attacking outlets but apart from one spectacular overhead kick from the latter in the early stages and a header that narrowly missed from substitute Hal Robson-Kanu late on, they struggled to break down the Baggies' backline.

Adam Le Fondre buzzed around trying to influence the game but fellow forward Pavel Pogrebnyak was a peripheral figure and was withdrawn after 69 minutes.

Red-hot at home

  • West Brom have kept three clean sheets at home in the Premier League this season
  • They have conceded in just two of their last 10 league games at The Hawthorns

The Royals did have two penalty appeals, after surging runs from McAnuff were ended by Billy Jones, but referee Chris Foy denied them both.

While there are plenty of problems for McDermott to tackle, Albion boss Clarke can take great satisfaction as his side quickly put behind last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Fulham behind them.

Their 10 points from five games is the club's best start to a Premier League campaign, and they have conceded in only two of their last 10 games at The Hawthorns.

Albion started both halves in lively fashion and McCarthy had to make an early low save to deny Morrison, who later in the opening half snatched at a shot after Zoltan Gera picked him out.

The lively Lukaku, making his full league debut for the club, wasted a promising position shortly before the interval with a heavy touch that allowed Chris Gunter to make a covering tackle.

Clarke praises Lukaku influence

From the subsequent corner Olsson almost scored but his powerful header hit the top of the post.

The pattern continued after the break, with Reading keeper McCarthy making another excellent save to thwart a Morrison volley from long range, while Gera saw an effort blocked.

Long came off the bench against his former club after 65 minutes and quickly played his part in the game's only goal.

Lukaku's shot was hardly the most powerful effort on goal and was fairly central but McCarthy was unsighted as the ball passed through a team-mate's legs.

West Brom boss Steve Clarke: "Last week's 3-0 defeat at Fulham was our worst performance of the season but we have started well at home and we came into this game confident but respectful of Reading.

"We just kept plugging away, it was always going to be a tight game. You could see halfway through that it might be a first goal wins it type of game and eventually we stuck one away.

"After three home games it is pleasing to look at the stats but there is a long way to go. If we can keep our form at home it will be good for us this season."

Reading boss Brian McDermott: "We need to create more chances because if we do we will score goals.

"We felt the game was drifting towards 0-0 and it was always going to be a case of one goal making the difference and they scored it.

"We were better than we were against Spurs and we felt we should have got something but this league is unforgiving.

"We have to move on quickly, which always do. We just need to stick together, which we have done for a long time. The players have been successful in the past and they will be again."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

West Bromwich Albion

  • 01 Foster
  • 03 Olsson
  • 06 Ridgewell
  • 23 McAuley
  • 28 Jones
  • 05 Yacob Booked
  • 07 Morrison (Long - 65' )
  • 11 Brunt
  • 21 Mulumbu
  • 20 Lukaku (Rosenberg - 78' )
  • 22 Gera (Dorrans - 70' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Myhill
  • 18 Jara
  • 25 Dawson
  • 17 Dorrans
  • 08 Rosenberg
  • 09 Long
  • 32 Fortune

Reading

  • 21 McCarthy
  • 02 Gunter (Robson-Kanu - 80' )
  • 03 Shorey
  • 05 Pearce
  • 17 Gorkss
  • 08 Leigertwood
  • 11 McAnuff
  • 20 Guthrie
  • 07 Pogrebniak (Hunt - 69' )
  • 09 Le Fondre
  • 12 McCleary

Substitutes

  • 41 Taylor
  • 06 Mariappa
  • 24 Cummings
  • 04 Karacan
  • 19 Robson-Kanu
  • 10 Hunt
  • 18 Church
Ref: Foy
Att: 23,854

Match Stats

Shots

9 8

On target

4 1

Corners

9 1

Fouls

14 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:56 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +3:50

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

90:00 +3:29

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

90:00 +3:08

Attacking throw-in by Garath McCleary (Reading).

90:00 +2:46

Foul by Shane Long (West Brom) on Alex Pearce (Reading). Free kick taken right-footed by Alex McCarthy (Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.

90:00 +1:50

Foul by Noel Hunt (Reading) on Claudio Yacob (West Brom). Free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster (West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.

90:00 +1:15

Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

90:00 +0:13

Shot by Graham Dorrans (West Brom) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

89:39

Foul by Alex Pearce (Reading) on Graham Dorrans (West Brom). Free kick taken right-footed by Claudio Yacob (West Brom) from left channel, passed.

88:51

Free kick taken right-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from own half, passed.

88:51 Booking

Booking Claudio Yacob (West Brom) booked for unsporting behaviour.

88:45

Foul by Claudio Yacob (West Brom) on Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading).

88:04

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

87:22

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

86:37

Foul by Shane Long (West Brom) on Jobi McAnuff (Reading). Free kick taken right-footed by Jobi McAnuff (Reading) from right channel, passed.

86:03

Defending throw-in by Jobi McAnuff (Reading).

84:28

Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

83:43

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

82:40

Cross by Garath McCleary (Reading), header by Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar.

82:13

Handball by Chris Brunt (West Brom). Free kick taken left-footed by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading) from own half, passed.

82:01

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

81:17

Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

79:31

Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

79:31 Substitution

Substitution Reading substitution: Chris Gunter replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu (tactical).

78:33

Foul by Garath McCleary (Reading) on Liam Ridgewell (West Brom). Free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster (West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.

78:23

Cross by Jobi McAnuff (Reading), clearance by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

77:17

Free kick taken left-footed by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading) from own half, passed.

77:17 Substitution

Substitution West Brom substitution: Romelu Lukaku replaced by Markus Rosenberg (tactical).

77:05

Foul by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom) on Danny Guthrie (Reading).

76:43

Cross by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading), comfortable save (caught) by Ben Foster (West Brom).

76:23

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

75:34

Attacking throw-in by Jobi McAnuff (Reading).

75:19

Cross by Romelu Lukaku (West Brom), clearance by Chris Gunter (Reading).

74:38

Foul by Claudio Yacob (West Brom) on Adam Le Fondre (Reading). Free kick crossed right-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from right wing, save (caught) by Ben Foster (West Brom).

73:32

Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

72:44

Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

70:37

Assist (header) by Shane Long (West Brom) from left side of penalty area.

70:37 Goal scored

Goal - Romelu Lukaku - West Brom 1 - 0 Reading Goal by Romelu Lukaku (West Brom) left-footed (low centre of goal) from left side of penalty area (18 yards).West Brom 1-0 Reading.

69:43

Free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster (West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.

69:43 Substitution

Substitution West Brom substitution: Zoltan Gera replaced by Graham Dorrans (tactical).

69:24

Handball by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading).

68:11

Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

68:11 Substitution

Substitution Reading substitution: Pavel Pogrebnyak replaced by Noel Hunt (tactical).

68:00

Defending throw-in by Jonas Olsson (West Brom).

67:42

Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

67:12

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

66:57

Cross by Garath McCleary (Reading), clearance by Billy Jones (West Brom).

66:16

Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

65:55

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

65:32

Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Reading).

64:49 Substitution

Substitution West Brom substitution: James Morrison replaced by Shane Long (injury).

63:32

Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

62:49

Foul by Jonas Olsson (West Brom) on Adam Le Fondre (Reading). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Reading) from right wing, clearance by Chris Brunt (West Brom).

62:39

Defending throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

60:59

Foul by Claudio Yacob (West Brom) on Danny Guthrie (Reading). Free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from left channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

58:53

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison (West Brom) to far post, clearance by Danny Guthrie (Reading). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt (West Brom) to far post, clearance by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading).

57:36

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

56:43

Shot by Youssouf Mulumbu (West Brom) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

55:14

Shot by James Morrison (West Brom) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (tipped round post) by Alex McCarthy (Reading). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt (West Brom) to far post, save (caught) by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

54:19

Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Ben Foster (West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.

53:18

Foul by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom) on Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading). Free kick crossed right-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from right wing, clearance by Claudio Yacob (West Brom).

52:39

Romelu Lukaku (West Brom) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Alex McCarthy (Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.

52:05

Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

50:40

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt (West Brom) to far post, header by Jonas Olsson (West Brom) from right side of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

49:03

Cross by Chris Brunt (West Brom), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

48:22

Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

47:13

Cross by Jobi McAnuff (Reading), save (punched) by Ben Foster (West Brom).

46:08

Cross by Chris Brunt (West Brom), resulting in open play. Foul by Gareth McAuley (West Brom) on Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading). Free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +0:59 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +0:50

Cross by Chris Brunt (West Brom), resulting in ball out of play.

45:00 +0:32

Cross by Chris Gunter (Reading), clearance by Jonas Olsson (West Brom).

44:02

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt (West Brom) to far post, header by Jonas Olsson (West Brom) from left side of penalty area (12 yards),

42:42

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

41:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jobi McAnuff by Zoltan Gera. Nicky Shorey produces a cross, Header from deep inside the area by Alex Pearce goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

41:36

Foul by Zoltan Gera (West Brom) on Jobi McAnuff (Reading). Free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from left channel, header by Alex Pearce (Reading) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.

40:19

Foul by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading) on James Morrison (West Brom). Free kick taken left-footed by Chris Brunt (West Brom) from right channel, resulting in open play.

38:38

Foul by Claudio Yacob (West Brom) on Danny Guthrie (Reading). Free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Reading) from left channel (30 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

38:21

Cross by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom), comfortable save (caught) by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

37:17

Attacking throw-in by Youssouf Mulumbu (West Brom).

36:09

Foul by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading) on Youssouf Mulumbu (West Brom). Free kick taken left-footed by Ben Foster (West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.

34:36

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

34:23

Cross by Chris Gunter (Reading), clearance by Gareth McAuley (West Brom).

33:21

Shot by Adam Le Fondre (Reading) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

33:02

Defending throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

32:38

Defending throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

31:53

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison (West Brom) to near post, clearance by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading).

31:18

Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

29:51

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

29:21

Foul by James Morrison (West Brom) on Kaspars Gorkss (Reading). Free kick taken right-footed by Alex Pearce (Reading) from own half, passed.

28:42

Shot by James Morrison (West Brom) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

27:30

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison (West Brom) to far post, resulting in open play.

26:36

Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

25:58

Foul by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading) on Gareth McAuley (West Brom). Free kick taken right-footed by Gareth McAuley (West Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.

25:18

Cross by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading), clearance by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

25:09

Attacking throw-in by Jonas Olsson (West Brom).

24:27

Foul by Chris Brunt (West Brom) on Chris Gunter (Reading). Free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Reading) from right wing, resulting in open play.

24:10

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

23:51

Cross by Chris Gunter (Reading), clearance by Jonas Olsson (West Brom). Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

22:56

Cross by Garath McCleary (Reading), clearance by Jonas Olsson (West Brom).

22:17

Shot by Zoltan Gera (West Brom) right-footed from right channel (30 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

21:15

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

20:36

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

18:46

Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

18:26

Shot by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading) left-footed from left channel (35 yards), missed right.

17:49

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

17:36

Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

15:56

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

15:45

Cross by Romelu Lukaku (West Brom), save (punched) by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

15:16

Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

14:14

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

13:49

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

13:10

Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

12:45

Defending throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

12:14

Shot by Garath McCleary (Reading) volleyed right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), brilliant save (caught) by Ben Foster (West Brom).

11:12

Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom).

9:27

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

9:05

Foul by Youssouf Mulumbu (West Brom) on Adam Le Fondre (Reading). Free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey (Reading) from own half, passed.

8:09

Shot by James Morrison (West Brom) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (tipped round post) by Ben Foster (West Brom). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Morrison (West Brom) to near post, clearance by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading).

7:52

Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

7:15

Attacking throw-in by James Morrison (West Brom).

6:15

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

5:45

Cross by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom), comfortable save (caught) by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

4:15

Corner from the right by-line taken by Chris Brunt, clearance made by Mikele Leigertwood.

4:15

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Chris Brunt (West Brom) to far post, clearance by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading).

3:36

Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (Reading).

2:53

Shot by Jobi McAnuff (Reading) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Ben Foster (West Brom).

2:39

Attacking throw-in by Jobi McAnuff (Reading).

1:58

Attacking throw-in by Chris Gunter (Reading).

1:22

Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (West Brom). Cross by Chris Brunt (West Brom), comfortable save (caught) by Alex McCarthy (Reading).

0:52

Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (West Brom).

0:00

The game begins.

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