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English Premier League: West Brom Continues Hot Start with Win over Everton

Joe Tansey@JTansey90X.com LogoFeatured ColumnistSeptember 1, 2012

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01:  Gareth McAuley of West Brom is congratulated after he scores the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Everton at The Hawthorns on September 1, 2012 in West Bromwich, England.  (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

West Brom continued its surprise start under new manager Steve Clarke with a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

Clarke, who is in his first season as a club manager, has been a pleasant surprise so far this season in the managerial ranks.

After winning at home over Liverpool on opening day and then drawing with Tottenham on the road, the Baggies got their third result against a quality EPL club to start the season.

West Brom was high on confidence going into the match after a 4-2 win over Yeovil in the second round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.

The match at The Hawthorns on Saturday mirrored the club's draw with Tottenham with a boring first half being replaced by an energetic second half.

The energetic second half was ignited by the introduction of Peter Odemwingie on to the pitch in the 58th minute.

Seven minutes later, the Nigerian set up fellow striker Shane Long for the first goal of the match.

The second goal of the match was set up by another substitute in the 82nd minute.

Club captain Chris Brunt made his entrance onto the pitch in the 75th minute to replace Long, and he was the man who assisted on the second goal of the match.

Brunt's corner in the 82nd minute found the head of defender Gareth McAuley, who sent the ball into the back of the net.

The Baggies are still undefeated in EPL play with two wins and a draw in Clarke's first three matches.

With the win, the Baggies moved up to third place in the table with seven points.

With the loss, Everton dropped its first match of the season after winning the first two matches to open the season.

Everton dropped beneath its Saturday opponent to fourth place with six points.

After the international break, West Brom will travel to Fulham on September 15th, while Everton will host Newcastle United on September 17th at Goodison Park.