By Jemma Tappenden
October 5 2007

After a superb victory against Queens Park Rangers in front of the Sky cameras the Baggies faced Stoke at the Hawthorns in a midweek clash against their notorious bogey side. However Albion faced Stoke minus Kevin Phillips, who failed a late fitness test. This handed a start to Craig Beattie, in the only change Mowbray made from the weekend.

It was a tough test for Albion.  Wanting to pass the ball around freely and play the football that has bought so many good results, they faced a tough physical outfit in Tony Pulis’ side. 

Albion started as brightly as they had against QPR, but this time they faced a brick wall of Red and White, as the tight Stoke defence foiled their efforts time and time again. 

By the 8^th minute Stoke had successfully blocked four goal bound efforts.  Eventually Miller muscled his way through, picking up a Koren through ball to test the Stoke keeper for the first time.  But Steve Simonsen was more than equal to the big man’s shot. Moments later the Stoke keeper was beat, was Teixeira who had been allowed in on goal thanks to a Greening through ball fired his shot wide.  Teixeira soon assumed the position of provide, but Barnett was unable to convert to chance for a goal. 

Stoke had to wait until the 22^nd minute before their first chance on goal, Ricardo Fuller playing John Eustace in on goal, only for Dean Kiely to produce a fine save.  It was clear that the visitors had arrived with a game plan – hit the Baggies on the break and defend for England.  And defend they did.  Teixeira should have made more of his chance in the 26^th minute, drilling the ball in from 15 yards but straight into the arms of the Stoke City keeper.  

 In the 28^th minute the Stoke plan paid off.  Totally against the run of play ex Sunderland man Shawcross converted Liam Lawrence’s corner to put the Pottery boys 1 up.  It was only the second league goal the Baggies have conceded at the Hawthorns this season. 

Albion spent the remainder of the half pelting chances at Stoke, desperately searching for the goal that would bring them back on level terms.  Koren launched a 25 yard screamer, but City keeper Simonsen collected with little trouble.  The last chance of the half saw Miller put inches past the post after a superb Teixeira cross.   

West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Stoke City 

The second half started in pretty much the same fashion as the first.  Albion kept pushing, and the first couple of minutes already had the Stoke defence working hard.  Both Greening and Teixeira came close, but could not foil the strong City defence. 

The 55^th minute very nearly saw Stoke double their lead, again catching the Baggies on the counter.  The resulting corner spelled a near miss for Stoke, and sigh of relief from Albion. Normal service resumed, the Baggies soon got back into their stride, bombarding the Stoke defence continually. 

In the 73^rd minute they were finally rewarded.  Teixeira floating in a marvellous free kick from the edge of the area, which nodded on by Gera somehow found its way to Barnett for him to find the back of the net for his first Hawthorns goal and 2^nd of the season. Moments later Morrison came close for Albion from 6 yards, and sub MacDonald launched a 15 yard shot which the Stoke keeper did well to keep out. 

Albion had the chance to win it in the games final stages, Miller pulling the trigger from 15 yards but again only to find the City keeper. All in all it was a well earned point, but the first that Albion have dropped at home this season. 

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Stoke City 

Barnett (73) 

Shawcross (28) 

Attendance: 20,048