Stoke City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

By Jemma Tappenden
December 6 2008

In a must win game against fellow promoted side Stoke City, Mowbray reverted back to a five man midfield with Brunt and Kim returning to the starting line up in place of the injured Morrison and dropped Bednar. Tony Pulis also made two changes, with Tom Soares and Dave Kitson returning to the starting line up.

The Baggies threatened first with Brunt swinging in a left wing cross which Sorensen did well to hold under pressure from Miller and Koren in the third minute. 

Stoke were forced into an 11th minute substitution when Kitson was stretchered off from an awkward fall.  He was replaced by Richard Cresswell.  Moments later Carson did well to tip a vicious 30 yard volley from Sidibe over the bar after Meite had lost his footing in defence.

Goalmouth action was rare in the opening stages of the half, but Stoke recorded a 15 yard effort after Delap had headed Soares free kick wide of the target.  Two minutes later Miller challenges Shawcross for Carson's long punt up field and came out victorious.  But his effort bounced agonisingly on the roof of the net.

Both defences were tight, with Stoke hoping their height may play some advantage.  But with two none giving defences and different styles of play something more of a stalemate was produced, and it was not until the 43rd minute that the game witnessed its next real goal threat, with Robinson swinging in a cross that Sorensen beat Miller to.

Half time: Stoke City 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

The second half saw a slight improvement as the game began to open up.  Six minutes into the half Sidibe slid the ball to Cresswell in the danger zone, who found Tom Soares who could do little more than bring out the best in Carson, blocking the first effort then gathering the rebound to prevent further danger.

A minute later Soares sent another effort into he arms of Carson.  But at the other end Faye just beat Miller to Robinson's cross as the ex Manchester City man looked sure to score. 

In the 55th minute Miller was in the thick of it again, this time his 20 yard effort rebounding off Faye to bounce harmlessly out of play.  Sorensen misjudged the resulting corner and parried the ball straight into the path of Koren, who should have put the Baggies ahead with the goal at his mercy from 10 yards.

65th minute substitute Tongue tried his luck with a 20 yard effort which Carson gathered at the second attempt, and in the 72nd minute Carson was tested with a 20 yarder again as this time Delap tried to get the better of the England International.

Both keepers were now being tested as Koren dispossessed Higginbottom and found Miller.  But Miller's 18 yard strike was straight into the arms of Sorensen as both sides searched for all three points.

In the 80th minute a costly miss should have brought Albion all three points, as Griffin allowed Teixeira to race into the box with the ball.  The midfielder went for glory and placed his effort well over when Miller was unmarked in a great position.

It was a devastating miss, as four minutes later Stoke found the only goal of the game.  Tongue and Higginbottom worked well together to thwart Teixeira.  Higginbottom then placed a perfect ball onto the head of Sidibe who rose well above Robinson at the back post to leave Carson stranded.

It was a bitter blow to Albion, who searched desperately to no avail to find a reply in the last five minutes.  The defeat kept Baggies at the foot of the Premiership table.

Full Time: Stoke City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Sidibe (84)

Attendance: 26,613