Stoke City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Mamady Sidibe scored a sublime winner five minutes from time to ensure Stoke suffered no hangover from last weeks mauling at Old Trafford and got back to winning ways.
After taking such a beating last week, West Brom at home was the ideal follow up game given that the Baggies are bottom of the table and on a bad run themselves and furthermore given that they have failed to win in Stoke since 1982 and have only beat their bogey team once in the league home or away since 1988.
Tom Soares came into the team replacing Seyi Olofinjana on the right, whilst Dave Kitson was given the chance to replace the suspended Ricardo Fuller in attack. Kitson, still searching for his first goal in the red and white, was unfortunate to pick up an injury in the scramble that followed an early Rory Delap throw in and was replaced by Richard Cresswell.
It was Sidibe who was first to go close, when he surprised everyone with a snap shot from around 30 yards that saw keeper Scott Carson divert the ball around the post when it was heading for the top corner.
West Brom meanwhile were struggling to open up a solid defence and began going against their carpet football principles with several aimless long balls forward towards Ishmael Miller with limited success. Only once did Miller craft himself a chance with a half volley that Sorensen watched as it dipped harmlessly onto the roof of the net.
Stoke forced several throw in's in the first half but for once Delap apperaed to have an off day as a combination of strong winds and to be fair solid West Brom defending reduced the threat from the Potters' not so secret weapon.
The second half started much brighter and it was Soares who was first to test Carson, who was getting continues stick from a merciless Boothen End crowd for his mid-week howler for England. Sidibe played in Cresswell who swivelled on the edge of the box to set up the young winger, but his deflected shot was comfortably saved by Carson.
The introduction of Michael Tonge for Soares seemed to give Stoke a new dimension in attack and he was next to test Carson with a swerving effert that the keeper gathered at the second attempt. Miller continued to probe away at the Potters defence but a low shot that was easily saved by Sorenesen was all he had to show for his efferts.
Captain Andy Griffin was almost punished for some sloppy defending when he was dispossesed by substitute Felipe Teixeira only to see the Portugese midfielder fire over when one on one with Sorensen. The Baggies knew given their record in this part of Staffordshire, they couldnt afford to miss such inviting opportnities.
They were made to pay on 85 minutes when Danny Higginbotham combined brilliantly with Tonge to provide the perfect cross for Sidibe who buried his header into the corner leaving Carson with no chance. It was the one moment of genuine quality in the match that had been the difference, and it was even described by Paul Merson as 'world class'.
West Brom looked a beaten team and despite their best efferts couldnt force an equaliser as they slipped to yet another defeat against Stoke. It was a huge win for the Potters over a side destined to be a relegation survival rival come the end of the season, and now makes it an impressive four consecutive home wins in the Premier Laegue.
Man of the Match - Mamady Sidibe - Filled Ricardo Fuller's big boots with a brilliant display and a deserved winning goal. As usual won everything in the air and was a constant threat to the Baggies defence all afternoon.
Attendance - 26,613
Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross (Cort,80), Higginbotham, Soares (Tonge,65), Amdy Faye, Diao, Delap, Kitson (Cresswell,11), Sidibe.
West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Robinson, Greening, Borja Valero (Bednar,86), Kim (Filipe Teixeira,57), Brunt, Koren, Miller.
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