West Bromwich 2 Everton 0: Rookie Clarke gives Albion added bounce

Seal the deal: Gareth McAuley nods in the second goal

Clarke said: 'Seven points from nine is a good start. We looked at the games and thought it would be difficult.'

To avoid offending opponents, the canny Scot quickly added that the games really had been difficult and that club management was also difficult.

But you struggled to believe him in that moment, largely because he has made it all look so easy.

And while Clarke would not have dared dream of such an impressive beginning to life in the hot seat, old stager David Moyes admitted that his second-half gamble had backfired.

He sent on Kevin Mirallas and Victor Anichebe to go for the win … and went home with nothing.

'I tried to go for it. By opening up we conceded the goals. Maybe I should have stayed the way I was and got 0-0.'

Luck was on Albion's side.

Cheers: McAuley (right) is congratulated after his goal

Breakthrough: Shane Long celebrates opening the scoring

Everton star Marouane Fellaini was ordered off the field at the start of the second half because his wrong-coloured under-socks were apparently showing.

'You'd have thought the officials would have checked again before they came out,' complained Moyes.

The Belgian quickly returned, but he did not seem in the right frame of mind when Everton's best chance rolled his way from a Mirallas cross.

Argy bargy: Yacob vies for the ball with Nikica Jelavic

Heads up: Jonas Olsson leaps to win the ball

He swiped hopelessly with his left foot - and his side's hopes disappeared into the Black Country skies with the misdirected ball.

It was not long before Liam Ridgewell released Peter Odemwingie down the left with a super pass.

Discussion: Tim Howard talks to Phil Jagielka

Man in the middle: Marouane Fellaini

The Albion substitute kept his cross equally low for Long's simple finish, which made up for the Irishman's earlier header against the bar.

The visitors were forced to throw more caution to the wind, and it created further danger for them.

Albion won a corner, substitute Chris Brunt sent in the perfect inswinger and Gareth McAuley beat Everton keeper Tim Howard.

In that moment Moyes knew his own bright start to the season had come to an end, though he was generous enough to compliment the way Albion had defended.

Midfield battle: James Morrison gets the better of Leon Osman

Spit it out: Leighton Baines will not have been pleased with the result

Graft: Everton were seen off by a hard-working West Brom