91�ȱ�

Saido Berahino's clinical hat-trick sent West Bromwich Albion into the League Cup third round at the expense of League Two newcomers Newport County.

For Burundi-born Berahino the night was a double celebration, as he made his full Albion debut on the day he earned an England Under-21 squad call-up.

The visitors created a glut of chances, but Berahino's finishing stood out.

He popped the first past keeper Lenny Pidgeley, smashed the next into the net and finished off with a cool penalty.

Berahino's was not the only first at the Hawthorns, where the two sides faced each other for the first time in any senior competition.

Albion boss Steve Clarke also gave new recruit Scott Sinclair a debut and he was to provide the pace and guile for Berahino to open the scoring after seven minutes with a neat dink past the Newport goalkeeper.

That was the first of the 20-year-old's goals to be scored within 35 first-half minutes.

Defender Diego Lugano and striker Matej Vydra also made their debuts for the hosts, but it was Berahino who was the pick of the trio.

Pidgeley was helpless as the striker fired home his second from the right of the box off his weaker left foot.

And after Harry Worley fouled Craig Dawson from a corner, Berahino was able to celebrate a memorable hat-trick.

However, none of that seemed to matter to the visitors who played their part to the full.

And while Justin Edinburgh's men were unable to capitalise on the chances they created, they left the Midlands with pride intact.

The hosts were unable to repeat their stunning opening after the break with Berahino barely having a touch.

Visiting captain Andy Sandell had the game's first chance, and after Berahino's opener, Adam went close to levelling.

Conor Washington split the home defence with a searing run, but could not finish and Worley was also among those to spurn chances.

And with Berahino having announced his full debut in some style, there was to be no repeat of the first round in which Newport stunned Championship side Brighton.

But there was one moment for home boss Clarke to worry over as Vydra left the fray ahead of the break after taking a knock.

West Brom boss Steve Clarke on Saido Berahino:

"He was excellent, really great. I'm really pleased for him because he was at Peterborough last year where he did ever so well in the Championship but then got a really nasty injury which kept him out for seven months.

"But he worked hard over the summer with the medical staff and got in great shape. He joined us for pre-season and I can't say I'm surprised by how well he's done. He's been really good in games and done well for us.

"I'm absolutely delighted for the boy because he's worked so hard for his chance and he took it with both hands."

Newport manager Justin Edinburgh told 91�ȱ� Radio Wales: "Everyone connected with the club will have come away with their heads held high.

"It was harsh reality, certainly, to come off first half 3-0 down where I certainly felt we acquitted ourselves fantastically.

"And we had some real good chances early on. But I think we'll look back on it and be disappointed at the way we conceded the goals.

"I just felt we gave away possession unnecessarily and we were punished, but we were up against premiership players so we have to accept that at times, although it's hard to as a manager and players."