Sacramento Republic 1 West Brom 3

The week has been a successful one for the Baggies, both on and off the field, and was topped off last night with a solid performance against the third-tier side.

They were given a good run out by the USL PRO side on a day when temperatures had reached the high 30s, but the Americans were undone by three excellent goals from Saido Berahino, Youssouf Mulumbu and Victor Anichebe.

Graham Dorrans also impressed with a few silky skills and commanding performance, while loan star Andre Wisdom put in a decent shift in his first match in Albion colours.

But the game also ended on a sour note, when utility man Chris Baird limped off late into the game after kicking the foot of teammate Liam O'Neill.

The Baggies started with a 4-3-3 formation, in which Dorrans started on the left of a three-man attack with Berahino and Anichebe.

Craig Dawson, who had been nursing a knock at the start of the week, started in the centre of defence with Jonas Olsson, while Baird was moved into midfield alongside Mulumbu, replacing the suspended Craig Gardner.

West Brom started brightly, with a clever move on four minutes - Dorrans played a little one-two with Mulumbu on the edge of the box before laying it off through the legs of a defender to Sebastian Pocognoli, on who was making a driving run on the left. His cross was met by Anichebe who passed wide.

Foster was forced into a smart save on 11 minutes when a cross from Peter Gilbert found the head of Max Alvarez in a packed box.

The first goal came after 13 minutes. Being challenged by two defenders, Anichebe managed to get off a lofted pass to Berahino who was loitering on the edge if the box - he hit it sweetly first time into the bottom corner.

Anichebe had another chance three minutes later, choosing to go it alone before unleashing a shot straight into the sliding Chad Bond. The same defender had to be carried off after a challenge soon after.

The Baggies continued to press, when on 22 Yacob played a great long ball to Barahino on the right, whose fancy footwork took him past a defender to the by-line. His cross found Anichebe, who was brought down in the box by Harrison Delbridge before he could get a shot away - his protests were ignored by the referee.

But Mulumbu was forced to clear off the line on 27 minutes when Pocognoli failed to deal with a low-crossed corner which was picked up by defender Steven Evans.

Albion hit back with their second goal on 30 minutes. Berahino again made it to the by-line, his cross finding an unmarked Mulumbu on the edge of the box, and his pinpoint shot into the top corner beat keeper Dominik Jakubek.

The American keeper then came to the rescue three minutes later, making a good diving save after a powerful Dorrans shot from around 20 yards.

Berahino was continuing to cause problems for Sacramento down the right hand side. On 36 he again made it out the by-line, this time choosing to go it alone after beating a defender in the box, but his lofted shot was too high.

The Californians were showing bright moments, but anything they could throw at the Baggies back line was being soaked up.

Dorrans went close in injury time, after picking up a clearance from Foster wide on the right he easily turned his marker with a stunningly-skilful, but his chipped shot went just over the bar.

Republic started more brightly in the second half. Midfielder Tommy Thompson played some clever football to get himself behind Pocognoli, and his parried shot found its way to Gilberto who put it just wide of the left hand stick.

West Brom were soon back into the groove in what was an otherwise dull opening 15 minutes, Dorrans showing the skills that have earned him a new contract, while Anichebe was looking eager.

And it was the striker who got the third on 62 minutes, when he found himself in space before launching an unstoppable shot from 25 yards. Jakubek had no chance.

Ten minutes later Sacramento struck back, through a player who was on a one-day loan from MLS side San Jose Earthquakes. JJ Koval managed to get onto the end of a corner inside the six-yard box, to fire low past substitute keeper Luke Daniels.

Jakubek was again called into action on 79 minutes, after a cross found the head of sub Kemar Roofe but was hit straight at the shot stopper.

West Brom didn't survive the night totally unscathed, after a strange mix-up saw Baird limping off after kicking O'Neill's foot.

WBA (4-3-3): Foster (L Daniels, H-T); Wisdom, Olsson (Nabi, 83), Dawson (D Daniels, 69), Pocognoli; Baird (Atkinson, 86), Yacob (O'Neill, H-T), Mulumbu; Dorrans (Garmston, 67), Anichebe, Berahino (Roofe, 63).