PULIS FIGHTS ON TO KEEP EVANS

NEW season, old habits for Tony Pulis’s belligerent Baggies. This was a smash and grab, achieved on the foundations of a back line that was again missing captain and Manchester City target Jonny Evans. Pulis was adamant that Evans had not ‘chucked one in’ on the back of Pep Guardiola’s interest and it would appear that the hamstring injury is genuine. However, after an entertaining cameo from Hal Robson-Kanu, who came on, scored the winner and was sent off in the space of 20 minutes, Evans’s team-mates were forthright on the issue. Some have been shocked at the interest from the Etihad. Not Chris Brunt, who said of Evans: ‘He’s a good player. His experience plays a part. But it’s between him and the club.’ Brunt was key in the game’s only goal, volleying to Matt Phillips, whose flick on set up Robson-Kanu. He took two touches, before finishing. Shortly after, he challenged Burnley’s Matthew Lowton and caught his face with an outstretched arm. Martin Atkinson did not hesitate in showing the red card.

SUPER STAT: Of the 31 Premier League wins West Bromwich have enjoyed under Tony Pulis, 21 have been by one goal. BURNLEY (4-2-3-1): Heaton 6; Lowton 5, Tarkowski 6, Mee 6, Ward 5; Cork 5, Defour 6; Gudmundsson 6 (Barnes 78min), Hendrick 6, Brady 6 (Walters 78); Vokes 5. Subs not used: Pope, Taylor, Long, Westwood, Arfield. Booked: Barnes. Manager: Sean Dyche 5. WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-1-4-1): Foster 6; Nyom 6, Dawson 6, Hegazi 7, Brunt 6; Barry 6; Phillips 6, Livermore 6, Field 5 (Rondon 85), McClean 6 (RobsonKanu 63, 6); Rodriguez 5. Subs not used: Myhill, Wilson, Harper, Leko, Chadli. Scorer: Robson-Kanu 71. Booked: None. Sent off: Robson-Kanu. Manager: Tony Pulis 7. Man of the match: Ahmed Hegazi. Referee: Martin Atkinson 6.5. Attendance: 19,619.