Stoke’s run continues

The Potters continued their positive run of results which now stretches to just one defeat since last March with a great display to hold West Brom to a 1-1 draw. Stoke have long been the Baggies’ bogey team having suffered only 1 defeat in the last 22 matches against our West Midlands’ rivals.

Tony Pulis managed to get Mamade Sidibe fit, but was forced into a midfield switch with John Eustace making his first start of the season at the expense of the injured Rory Delap.

Stoke’s goal scorer was, yet again, the tall defender Ryan Shawcross who netted his third goal of the season after a Liam Lawrence cross found Shawcross’s head and he headed into the top of the net on the half hour mark.

But whilst Stoke had a few more chances to increase their lead throughout the match, it was the home side that had the most chances, but dogged defending and some great saves from Steve Simonsen looked like giving the Potters all three points until Leon Barnett headed the Baggies back into the match with only 15 minutes remaining.

The only bleak spot for the Potters was Gaby Zakuani’s retirement on 34 minutes with a hamstring injury. He is likely to be out for up to six weeks, giving the manager another selection headache in defence.

West Brom: Kiely, Hoefkens (Gera 67), Barnett, Albrechtsen, Robinson, Filipe Teixeira (MacDonald 76), Greening, Morrison, Koren, Beattie (Brunt 67), Miller
Subs not used: Steele, Pele

Stoke City: Simonsen, Wright, Zakuani (Dickinson 34), Shawcross, Wilkinson, Lawrence, Eustace, Matteo, Cresswell, Sidibe (Parkin 64), Fuller
Subs not used: Hoult, Sweeney, Pericard