English Premiership
Everton's unbeaten run ends
2012-09-01 18:31
Birmingham - West Bromwich Albion continued their superb start to the season with a 2-0 win over Everton as the Baggies moved into third place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Steve Clarke's side have taken seven points from a possible nine after goals from Shane Long and Gareth McAuley at the Hawthorns ended Everton's 11-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Albion had already demolished Liverpool and earned a creditable draw at Tottenham in their first two matches and this was another impressive display.
Long converted a low cross from Nigerian substitute Peter Odemwingie before McAuley headed home from a set-piece to condemn Everton to a first league defeat since March 24 against Swansea.
Everton were left to regret two missed opportunities by Marouane Fellaini at the start of the second half, but David Moyes' men could have no complaints about the result.
The Toffees suffered a setback when injured midfielder Darron Gibson had to be replaced by right-back Tony Hibbert in the first half.
Albion came close to taking the lead after 29 minutes when Liam Ridgewell's cross which was met by Irish striker Long and his header thumped against the crossbar.
Clarke's team threatened again just before half-time when James Morrison forced a fine stop from Tim Howard.
Fellaini had Everton's first good chance after 55 minutes when the Belgian midfielder turned sharply to create the opening but dragged his shot wide.
He spurned an even better opportunity five minutes later when he side-footed over from 10 yards after racing onto a low cross from substitute Kevin Mirallas.
It proved a costly miss as Long broke the deadlock after 65 minutes.
Ridgewell found Odemwingie in space on the left flank and his low cross picked out Long who got in front of Sylvain Distin to steer the ball past Howard.
And, with eight minutes remaining, McAuley sealed the win with a glancing header from Chris Brunt's corner.