Carabao Cup: West Brom 3 Harrogate 0 - Report and pictures

Goals from Rekeem Harper, Hal Robson-Kanu and substitute Callum Robinson saw the Baggies progress on what was a comfortable night for Slaven Bilic's side.

Harrogate are currently enjoying their first ever season in the Football League having won the National League play-offs back in August.

And they gave a good account of themselves at The Hawthorns with Simon Weaver's men working tirelessly throughout.

But Albion simply had too much quality - with Harper and Robson-Kanu both scoring from 25-yards in the first half. Robinson then completed the scoring in the closing stages.

Report

Bilic opted to make wholesale changes for the cup clash with Dara O'Shea the only player to retain a starting spot following the defeat to Leicester.

The Republic of Ireland international partnered Cedric Kipre at the heart of the defence - with the Frenchman one of three debutants alongside goalkeeper David Button and right-back Lee Peltier.

In a 4-4-2 formation, Harper and Sam Field where the central midfield two with Kyle Edwards and Kamil Grosicki on the wings.

Up front, Charlie Austin partnered skipper Hal Robson-Kanu.

Harrogate - playing only their second ever game in the competition having overcome Tranmere in the first round - also lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Aaron Martin and Mark Beck in attack.

The visitors made a bright, aggressive, start to the match with Simon Weaver's men pressing high and forcing Albion back.

In contrast, the Baggies looked somewhat sluggish with too many simple passes going astray.

In the 18th minute, though, their superior quality showed with Harper putting them ahead with a fabulous strike.

Having initially been involved in the build-up, the midfielder then collected the ball 25-yards from goal.

And he sharply spun away from both George Thomson and Josh Falkingham before lashing home a powerful drive that keeper Joe Cracknell couldn't get near.

Just four minutes later Albion doubled their advantage with another spectacular strike.

This time it was Robson-Kanu who collected the ball 25-yards out.

And with plenty of time, the Wales international curled a delicious strike into the top corner.

Incredibly, the goal was the forward's first in the competition for 10 years.

Harrogate responded with Martin meeting a deep free-kick only to see his header kept out with a smart, one-handed, stop from Button.

It was Albion though - having overcome their slowish start - who were now well in control despite the visitor's impressive work rate.

And they almost grabbed a third shortly before the break when Austin won a free-kick on-the-angle, just outside the box.

With everyone expecting a cross, Grosicki sprung a surprise by going direct for goal - with the Poland international curling a strike just narrowly the wrong side of the post.

Albion again came close to grabbing a third just moments after the re-start when some clever footwork from Robson-Kanu sent Edwards charging down left.

The winger then delivered a wonderfully inviting cross which a stretching Austin was just unable to turn towards goal.

Bilic made his first change in the 55th minute with Matt Phillips replacing Grosicki. Romaine Sawyers then replaced Robson-Kanu.

That meant a switch to a 4-3-3 formation with Sawyers joining Harper and Field in the middle.

Phillips operated on the right wing with Edwards on the left and Austin the lone striker.

And the former Southampton man really should have extended his team's lead just moments later.

With the keeper out of position, Phillips hit the byline and picked out the striker with a low cross.

But despite having the goal at his mercy, Austin produced a tame effort that was cleared off the goal line by Warren Burrell.

Harrogate had a chance to get themselves back in the game when Connor Hall met a corner.

But the former Bury Town man saw his clever glancing header sail over.

Bilic made his final change in the 73rd minute with Robinson replacing Austin.

And it took the forward just four minutes to get on the scoresheet - with the former Sheffield United man doing the easy bit following some outstanding work by Edwards.

First the winger produced a magical bit of skill to dance past Burrell and hit the byline.

And he then delivered an inviting which Robinson tapped in just a yard out.

With 10 minutes to go, Edwards sent a powerful drive into the arms of Cacknell from 20-yards.

Albion then went on to dominate the ball and close out the game comfortably to clinch a spot in the next round.

Teams

Albion (4-4-2): Button, Peltier, O'Shea, Kipre, Townsend, Edwards, Field, Harper, Grosicki (Phillips 55), Austin (Robinson 73), Robson-Kanu (Sawyers 61).

Subs not used: Bond, Furlong, Ajayi, Soule.

Harrogate: Cracknell, Fallowfield (Jones 73), Falkingham, Smith, Burrell, Thompson, Beck (Stead 61), Martin, Kerry (Kirby 79), Muldoon, Hall.

Subs not used: Kiernan, Walker, Minter, Lokko