Slaven Bilic's West Bromwich Albion advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening after a comfortable 3-0 victory over League Two side Harrogate Town.
Callum Robinson's second-half strike added to first-half goals from Rekeem Harper and Hal Robson-Kanu at The Hawthorns, where League Two new boys Harrogate struggled to put up much of a fight against their Premier League opposition.
Here are some key quotes from The Baggies boss, courtesy of Birmingham Live:
On his side's performance
In a game where Bilic's team dominated major periods and were rarely troubled by the North-Yorkshire side, the 52-year-old was slightly frustrated his side only managed three goals against the league two opposition - maybe underwhelmed that his side missed the opportunity to score a few more for a confidence boost ahead of their return to Premier League action against Everton on Saturday.
“It’s always nice to win games,” said Bilic. “We scored three goals, we scored two wonderful goals. The effort was there, the quality was there - especially in the second half.
“The only negative is that we should have scored many more goals, but we are through and it’s good for the guys who didn’t play against Leicester City.
“To play in the Premier League it was important they got 90 minutes or 60 minutes under their belt.”
On Albion's debutants
Bilic decided the cup tie against Harrogate was the right time to hand debuts to a duo of his summer signings.
Goalkeeper David Button made his first appearance for The Baggies after his transfer from fellow Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion, whilst defender Cedric Kipre also took the grass for the first time in Albion colours after his move from Wigan Athletic.
Despite both players not being tested hugely throughout the match, Bilic was still impressed by both players.
"The keeper, I knew that he was very good on the ball because we did our homework before we got him. I was very impressed with his calmness and with the way he passed the ball.
“He has got that balance between passing the ball and not putting the players in risk situations - so very good.
“Kipre, the whole team, but especially the back four were on the front football, very competitive. We can talk about their quality but the effort from the opponent was there, the long-balls were there.
“They are quite good in the air. But we coped with that - we were dominant to be fair. I’m pleased with the way Cedric played as well.”
Academy players proving their worth
A trio of academy graduates - Sam Field, Rekeem Harper and Kyle Edwards - featured in a starting XI mixed with experienced first-team players, and all three left Bilic feeling full of praise for the youngsters.
“They’re [Edwards, Field and Harper] three players who are very interesting,” Bilic said.
“I’m really pleased with the way they played. Sam gives us something we don’t have in the squad.
“Very good tactically, very good in defensive phase of the game in that holding midfield role. Good range of passing. Harps was good, also. Kyle Edwards - we know what he can do.
“The ball just has to be more consistent, with less switching off - I’m not talking about tonight, in general.
“This club has always had a great academy. They’re proof of that.”
On Sam Field's performance and future
Field spent last season on loan at Charlton Athletic but is now back at his boyhood club, and he looks to have impressed Bilic so much that it looks like the 22-year-old will remain at the West-Midlands club for the upcoming season.
“I spoke to Sam the other day and told him that he gives us something that we don’t have from other players.”
“He is a proper holding midfielder. He’s very good tactically, he keeps his position, he’s very good at slowing the play down, very good at helping the centre-backs when they need it, he’s quite tall so is good at heading the ball and good at tackles, reading balls and opening attacks with a good range of passing.
“He is very good in the defensive phase of the game. That’s why I told him he is staying with us.”
Injur
A surprise omission from the squad against Harrogate was defender Ahmed Hegazi who looked poised to play the midweek fixture after remaining on the bench against Leicester.
Bilic later revealed that the Egyptian international missed out due to a hamstring injury he suffered in training.
“Hegazi was on the bench on Sunday. He came in on Monday, the guys who didn’t play against Leicester had training. He did his hamstring in training, that’s the reason why he wasn’t involved tonight.
“Hamstrings...Monday or even yesterday they didn’t know how big it is. It shouldn’t be big, he didn’t do it in a sprint or anything like that. Hopefully it’s a smaller one."