McAuley keen to continue scoring streak

Fulham 1 West Brom 1

Northern Ireland defender McAuley, who scored against Portugal and Luxembourg during the international break, headed in Chris Brunt’s stoppage-time corner for the Baggies’ first goal of the Premier League season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

“It’s not been too bad a week for me,” McAuley said. “Some of the lads asked if I could do three in three. I’ve done that so now I might have to try to score four in four.

“It hung up quite nicely and I just had to get my head on it. I knew if I got it on target it had a chance of going in [and] it was great to score in injury time.”

The Baggies finished eighth last term but have made a number of summer signings to strengthen the squad’s depth and face Sunderland in their next game.

“There’s more to come,” Clarke said.

“Three or four players came late in the window. We need a little bit of time to gel. There were good signs there that we’re going to be a strong force in the Premier League again this season.”

Shane Long is likely to be absent for their next game with a knee problem. Clarke said Long was “doubtful for next week’s game”.

Fulham were without on loan Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, but Jol was satisfied with the display, apart from the inability to add to Steve Sidwell’s opener and the late lapse which allowed McAuley to score.

“I don’t think we missed anybody,” Jol said.

“I think we played better than before, the balance was good. We did okay, but the only thing is we looked a bit tired at the end. For a lot of players it was their third game in seven days, but that is not an excuse not to score a second goal.”

FULHAM: D Stockdale, S Riether, P Senderos, B Hangeland, K Richardson (F Amorebieta 67), B Ruiz (D Duff 90), S Parker, S Sidwell, A Kacaniklic, P Kasami, D Berbatov (Rodallega 77).

WEST BROM: B Myhill, Billy Jones, G McAuley, J Olsson, L Ridgewell, M Amalfitano (S Sinclair 63), Y Mulumbu, C Yacob (J Morrison 63), C Brunt, N Anelka, V Anichebe (S Berahino 78).

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).