Stoke Metropolis 1-0 West Brom: Nick Powell’s cool end lifts Potters to 3rd

Stoke battled by means of a collection of missed alternatives to strike late and earn a 1-0 win over previously-unbeaten West Brom on the bet365 Stadium.

In a busy first half, Jacob Brown hit the submit for the Potters, earlier than a calamitous personal aim from Darnell Furlong was dominated out by referee Tim Robinson who had noticed a foul within the build-up.

Whereas probabilities for the Baggies had been uncommon – notably shocking given their ruthlessness in a midweek 4-0 win over Cardiff – the hosts missed one other probability to take the lead when substitute Sam Surridge had a penalty saved by Sam Johnstone.

However they labored by means of the psychological barrier and eventually made the breakthrough when Powell latched onto a beautiful by means of ball from Tommy Smith and lifted a trendy end over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the again of the web (79).

West Brom keep high regardless of struggling their first league defeat of the season, whereas Stoke climb above Fulham into third.

How Stoke made an announcement in opposition to the league leaders

It was clear that Stoke had been trying to exploit the excessive West Brom line from the outset and whereas Adam Davies was the busier goalkeeper within the opening exchanges, it was the hosts who ought to have been forward inside 10 minutes.

An intuitive flick from Powell launched Brown, who ran by means of on aim earlier than crashing a shot off the bottom of the left-hand submit, earlier than Joe Allen thumped extensive after the Potters retained possession.

Possibilities got here at a premium thereafter till the fortieth minute, when Furlong comically stooped to go the ball into his personal web. However celebrations had been halted quickly after a foul from Mario Vrancic on Callum Robinson within the build-up – a choice that introduced heavy boos from the house crowd.

5 minutes after the break, Vrancic himself went shut when a curling free-kick clattered the crossbar, earlier than one other set-piece was crushed away by Johnstone and Surridge hit a weak effort on the stopper after connecting with Josh Tymon’s inviting cross.

Moments after Jake Livermore had steamed into the field and prodded extensive following an extended throw from Furlong as West Brom sought a sucker-punch, Stoke had been awarded a penalty when Surridge was caught by Johnstone. It was, nonetheless, nicely saved by a powerful left-handed cease from the England goalkeeper.

The Potters had the final snort, although, as Powell collected Smith’s neat move and lifted the ball into the again of the web, to attain his fourth aim in as many video games and seal an necessary win in Stoke’s promotion push.

Man of the match – Ben Wilmot

Sky Sports activities’ Don Goodman:

“He was the star performer for me. He handled every thing the West Brom forwards needed to provide tonight and helped Stoke to maintain a beneficial clear sheet.”

What the managers stated…

Stoke’s Michael O’Neill: “We made it exhausting for ourselves. We had two actually good probabilities within the first half and when the sport is a 0-0, it’s all the time finely poised. Within the second half, we had been by far essentially the most dominant workforce and it was a superb end from Nick.

“We must always have been forward within the sport, there is not any doubt about that, however I believe we confirmed good character, given what occurred, that we believed we may nonetheless go on and win. We deserved the three factors.”

West Brom’s Valerien Ismael: “I believe Stoke deserved to win tonight. It was not sufficient – it is so simple as that. I do not know if it was tiredness from the journey to Cardiff, however we made too many errors and did not hold the ball within the pocket like Tuesday.

“All through the sport, we had been too common, so we will study from that at the moment. If you put in a mean efficiency, you may’t faux to win the sport; somebody will come from behind and take your spot. We have to get well now, put together for the Birmingham sport and go once more. Tonight it was clear to see that Stoke had been the higher workforce on the pitch and the very best workforce now we have performed to this point within the league.”

What’s subsequent?

Each side return to motion after the conclusion of the October worldwide break. West Brom host Birmingham at The Hawthorns at 8pm on Friday, October 15 – stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer – whereas Stoke journey to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United at 3pm the next day.