Stoke 1 West Brom 1
Monday 28th February 2011, 10:00PM GMT.
Carlos Vela bagged another dramatic late equaliser to hand Albion a well-deserved point at bogey club Stoke.
The Baggies’ Stoke hoodoo remains after they again failed to win in the Potteries but Vela’s 87th-minute strike gave them a potentially crucial point in their battle against relegation.
The Mexican loanee, who scored a late equaliser against Wolves eight days ago, did it again after stepping off the bench.
Roy Hodgson’s men had trailed to a header by Rory Delap just after half-time.
Hodgson sprang three major selection surprises, recalling Scott Carson in goal and forgotten man Abdoulaye Meite at the heart of defence and leaving top scorer Peter Odemwingie on the bench.
Boaz Myhill made way for Carson, Meite replaced Gabriel Tamas and Odemwingie’s omission allowed the fit-again Youssouf Mulumbu to provide an extra man in the centre of midfield.
Stoke piled on some early pressure with their predictable battery of long throws and corners and Carson was unhappy when he appeared to be clattered twice by a flailing arm from Kenwyne Jones.
But, despite Stoke dominance, there was little invention in the opening half-hour other than a smart save by Carson from a Jermaine Pennant free-kick.
And Albion grew into the game and called Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic into action twice around the half-hour mark, first to hold a Graham Dorrans cross-shot low down and then to clutch a strike from Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Just before the interval Pennant skimmed the top of Carson’s crossbar after Brunt was booked for a body check on his fellow winger.
And Albion’s Paul Scharner sent a snatched shot just wide on the stroke of half-time after Stoke failed to fully clear a free-kick.
But the hosts were ahead eight minutes after the restart as Albion made a mess of defending the latest set-piece.
Pennant delivered a corner to the near post and Delap outmuscled both Carson and marker Dorrans to plant a header into the net.
Albion went close to an equaliser on the hour mark as Steven Reid’s right-wing cross was met by Dorrans, whose thunderous header hit Huth only for Begovic to save from the deflection.
And the keeper was needed again moments later to palm away a powerful long-range shot from Chris Brunt.
But Albion rescued their point with three minutes to go as Steven Reid lofted a pass over the Stoke defence for Vela to collect.
Replays showed he was a fraction offside but the flag stayed down and he kept his composure to score past Begovic.
And he could have snatched all three points for his side after beating the offside trap to collect a Dorrans through-ball but Begovic saved brilliantly with his legs.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Offside, shmoffside. A little bit of luck at last when so many stonewall penalties have been denied us (plus not to mention soft ones being given against us and soft sending offs too).
You forgot to mention Fortune hitting the bar in this report, by the way.
Report abuse
Why didn’t Vela come on sooner (K Philips Mk2)
Carlos, don’t feel bad about the last minute chance you did more than Fortune in the whole game. Roy Your expression reminds me of someone watching the ducks on the park. Carson not a bad game but for the goal against he just stood and watched, then fell over !! Brunt when a man is ten yards away don’t pass like he’s 50 its a ball not a missile, Its gonna go to the wire again I reckon.
Report abuse
Considering they got 2 rubbish penalties at our place they still owe us another bad decision.
Report abuse
This will be a huge confidence booster. Well done Roy for making some bold team changes and picking a team suitable for an away game. After losing 13 of the last 18 under RDM, let’s not forget we are now unbeaten in 3 since he left. NB all you doubters.
Report abuse
well done woy brave team selection tonight something rdm hadnt got the bottle to do, i can see us getting some unexpected results here in.
carson meite reid superb and fortune stuck to his job all night always wanted the ball whatever stick he knew he was going to get. proud of the lads tonight
Report abuse
Tony Pulis. Referring to our goal, ‘these officials have to get these decisions right.’
Funny he had nothing to say about their two very dodgy penalties at our place. Double standards Mr Pulis.
Report abuse
Mick McCarthy was concerned about the effect it would have on us when we dropped into the bottom three. After your 48 hours out of it you’re back in Mick, how do you think it will affect you?
Report abuse
Very happy with a point at Stoke. A team none of us good predict but it worked. Full marks to Roy for the vision. Would be great if we and the Wolves can stop up. Boing Boing
Report abuse
Cracking result at the home of our bogey team, and dare I say one we should have won in the end.
Back above the tater’s again where we belong,
come on you Baggie’s now let’s sort out those big headed Brummies on saturday.
Boing! Boing!
Report abuse
Over the moon to get a point. But more than that it was the way we got it. We looked like a team again. Organised and fighting and working for each other.
I have to put my hands up about being wrong.
All those clever people that booed Scott Carson were right. They obviously knew that it would do him good being out of the team. Well done the boo boys.
Also the ones on here that have called Abdoulaye Meite various derogatory names, I hope there is some humble pie being meited out tonight. I must admit I didn’t see that one coming but well done Roy, Meite was immense. Along with Olsson, Reid and Shorey. The midfield worked their ballcocks off, as did Fortune.
Also well done our friend Michael Oliver, you’ve gone a little way to redeeming yourself. Even though I don’t know how Carew came off without at least a yellow card after delivering three forearm smashes on Scharner that Hulk Hogan would have been proud of.
On the wrestling theme, it reminded me at one point of the old tag wrestling, Fortune going down the line as three Stoke players took it in turns to clout him, Steve Logan and Mick McManus couldn’t have done it better and we did get a throw in for it.
I loved Boaz Myhill’s reaction to our goal. He couldn’t have been more excited if he was a fan. This after being left out. What a good team man.
Finally. To the tune of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes ‘Up where we belong.’ ‘Vela puts Wolves back where they belong.’
After feeling down and out after the weekend, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. And for once it’s not a train coming towards us. Well done to the manager, the players and the fans that travelled. You were all superb.
Report abuse
good point at the end of the day, although Vela unlucky with his last chance. yes he was marginally offside, but as Reidy said most things have gone against us this season it makes a refreshing change and as for Mr Pullis moaning,lets rewind 2wks ago to sunderland game when Carew was offisde for his goal and the part he played in huths goal against sunderland!!!! swings and roundabouts!!!!
Report abuse
What a great performance we actually deserved all three points easily the better team more possession more shots Stoke showed their limitations. special mention for Roy wise old un a similar display at B’Ham should get us at
least a point weve always known weve got good
offensive players now we know we can defend.
Dorrans back to his best and didnt Reid do well, suprised Carson back and the much maligned Meite maybe an astute move by Roy.
Pick previously out of favour guys knowing they would do their utmost to stay in the side. We’ll need defending like this when we
play the top teams. Oh ref excellent didnt
think i’d be saying that.
Report abuse
Great display second half – Roy has installed some grit in defence. Could prove another vital point in the shake up at the end of the season. Corrals was M. O. M for me with Reid a close second. Bring on the Blues Saturday – let’s hope they are still in dreamland after Wembley and we can bring them back down to earth by taking all 3 points !! Boing Boing !!
Report abuse
What if it’d have gone in at the end??? Still….great point and a really reassuring and encouraging performance.
No real bad performances but I thought Steven Reid and Dorrans were excellent. Reid hit three crosses, one led to Dorrans header which Begovic saved, one led to Fortune hitting the bar and one led to our goal. Add to that his defending was excellent. Dorrans is looking back to his best just when we most need it.
Olsson won everything aerially (wish he wouldn’t grab and hold though in his own box) and Meite was surprisingly reassuring. He’s never been my favourite but who knows? He’s obviously talented, a change of manager can change a few things.
A point re: Carson. I thought he did exceptionally well up until the goal where again, you could maybe question his command of a 6-yard area off a cross (much like the Hernandez goal). However…..in recent games Myhill has failed to command that area too. We have 10 games to go, whoever Hodgson picks has to have the backing of the supporters. Anyone who undermines our survival chances by picking vendettas at matches is a simpleton. We need to get behind them and keep ourselves up.
Stoke are unashamed, they don’t even try and disguise their directness, to the full-backs and HOOF. Seriously, would you want to pay to watch that? They have absolutely zero threat from open play.
Lets just hope the Blues players go on the lash all week. Come on you Baggies!!!
Report abuse
Dorrans not corrals !! Predictive txt dont recognise footballing talent ;-)
Report abuse
Good point. I expected a comprehensive defeat to be honest. For all the dingles down brigade, I watched the match up here with a Wolves fan and he was as gutted as me when we missed our late chances. Hard I know, but still hoping both Black Country teams stay up.
Report abuse
Great performance from the lads,Meite was imense,Carson dealt with everything so please get off is back and give the bloke a break,im just avin a few beers now as my throat bit dry,proud of the lads proud to be a BAGGIE aye boing boing
Report abuse
Well Done Baggies,great team performance.
Only 2 days in the bottem 3.THE FUTURES BRIGHT IT’S BLUE AND WHITE.
Report abuse
never mind dings you must have known you wornt gunna be above us for long,back wer yow belong aye boing boing
Report abuse
Well done guys!
Report abuse
Well done baggies you did what you had to against a horrible bolshy side. Apoint away is always a good one especially against Stoke.
Interesting to see why Fortune played but maybe that was just against Stoke. Tchoiy if you pass a little more then maybe the team would benefit.
Out the relegation zone so bring on the Blues!
Report abuse
Surprising team selection, particularly Meite & the recall of Carson, but it worked!.
We need to kick on & get some wins in, draws alone won’t keep us up.
Woy needs to send ‘em out with the “we are 1 – 0 down” mentality as we play with more conviction when we are a goal down.
Deserved to win it in the end.
Report abuse
Steven Reid Man of the Match with a very stylish full back display.
Dorrans is starting to get his mojo back as well.
Not overly happy to see Frank’s return , at fault for the goal and his kicking is still abysmal.
How strange to hear Pulis try to get mileage out of the Jonas picture incident. I cannot stand sanctimonious holier than thou people , Mr Pulis that includes you.
Report abuse
GENIUS!!- When I saw the line-up,I had to sit down for a minute to take it in.
My first reaction-Roy has taken a massive gamble.If it works,then well done that man,if it doesn’t,there are those who will give him some flak.And work it did.
We stood firm against their ‘battering ram’ tactics,then gradually took control of the game.By the end,as the TV commentator said,’West Brom have Stoke on the ropes’.
With over twice as many shots as Stoke,and their ‘keeper saving at least two with his legs,we were unlucky not to win it.But well done anyway,Lads.
I thought we looked a lot more solid,organised,and the players seemed to have a real sense of purpose.I’ve given Brunty an ear-bending recently for his attitude,but although he didn’t have a perfect game (who does?),he looked more effective and more confident than I’ve seen him for a while.Well done Chris,that’s all we want.You’ve got the ability,maybe Roy has starting giving you his ‘positive therapy’.
Report abuse
Mexican food for me tonight. Well done Vela, but he needs to start. I think Wenger has put a clause in his loan contract that says he only plays 15 minutes per game.
Report abuse
Tony Pulis-
some people have mentioned the guy,and three things spring to mind-
1) the first thing he said in the after game interview was ‘that’s the worst we’ve played this season’- does he really mean Albion stood up to his ‘hoof the ball up to the giants,and physically overpower them’ tactics,and then we passed the ball around them until they didn’t know what day it was?
2) he then laid into the Officials,saying if the linesman couldn’t see the ‘offside’ incident,he shouldn’t be allowed to take part in games at this level.
Isn’t the F.A. supposed to take action against managers who publically blast the officials? and-
3) what happened in the tunnel was away from the fans and the media,in other words a ‘private’ incident.Roy said diplomatically,that a ‘player’ was involved,but when asked,Pulis immediately said ‘Jonas Olssen’,on national TV,for millions to hear.
I look at this man,and for some reason I understand why his team play the way they do.I don’t know why,but it just seems to make sense to me………
Report abuse
CR78
I remember going to the Britannia the year we went up under Mowbray, we lost 3-1 I think.
The multi-ball system that was in place for the first half disappeared as soon as Stoke took the lead. I also remember one of the balls that was on the sidelines trickled onto the pitch as if by magic when we had the ball in an offensive position. Andy Wilkinson instead of kicking it 2 feet back into touch, leathered it into the centre of the pitch, where the ref had to blow up. The game was restarted with them kicking it 70 yards back to our keeper.
There might be people who call the above gamesmanship, but some of the things you see at Stoke just border on cheating.
I’ve no problem with hoofball (wouldn’t wanna pay to see it mind), it’s a means to an end and has kept Stoke in the Prem. But as you touch on, there’s an air of dishonesty, a lack of integrity, class and grace which seeps out of Pulis whenever things don’t go his way. It just wipes out any respect you have for him and his achievements.
Report abuse
Brilliant, just brilliant, Roy has found our MOJO. What have you got next for us Roy?, just can’t wait. Nice to have a bit of lady luck for a change. Should have won anyway. That’s the hit and hoper’s of the last two games out of the way, now it’s back to the proper football.
Who’re,
Forget soothsayer job, you’re not very good at it. Hope there’s not too much sugar in your humble pie, If so try one of Jezz Moxy’s,I hear they’re good, especially if you’re in the bottom three.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
Very proud of the lads last night. As others have said we looked like a team again.
Well done Carson and Meite, I have not been a great supporter of either but last night you were both awesome. On another point why has it taken so long for reid to get back in, since he joined us he has been very consistent when he has played and never gives less than a 7/10 performance. I would make him captain as I think it is weighing heavily on Brunt and it should never be the keeper.
Keep going lads we believe again
Report abuse
Any regular readers will know I’m a fan of irony.
Following Sunday nights Oscar awards here are my own Ronnie’s. Awarded for a total lack of self awareness in a football environment (on second thoughts make that a hoofball environment.)
In 3rd place. All the Wolves fans that came on here gloating when they went above us after being in the bottom 3 all season.
In second place. Tony Pulis. For criticising an officials decision, forgetting all the ones that have gone for them.
But by a landslide verdict from the judges. Winner of this years Ronnie. Step forward that shrinking violet Ryan Shawcross. For bitterly complaining to the referee that he’d been roughly handled in our penalty area after a corner.
Unless anyone else has any contenders I’ve missed.
Report abuse
TRBH
You missed out POORTHORNS ONLY 23,000 INCLUDING 3,000 AWAY FANS who continued with his username in the week after Wolves got 11,000 against Stoke in the FA Cup……with 3,000 away fans.
Report abuse
31 Warren.
Doh!!!!!!
Report abuse
Line was a shock but it worked because we had some of our big lads in & they couldn’t muscle us out? it was all there to see, the grit determination & the belief! I think Meite could & should have dealt with the ball before it even got to the head of Delap But i was very very proud of what i saw..come on boys lets drag the blue noses off cloud number 9!!!!
Report abuse
Best defensive performance since the
Gary Megson era!
Report abuse
31 Warren and 32 TRBH-
I just want to add that ‘poorthorns…’ is the only guy I know who takes five minutes to type his name,and 30 seconds to put his posts together-double Doh!!!
Warren-
welcome back,hope you enjoyed your holiday/break.
Report abuse
Warren, all this argument about attendances is ridiculous. The fact is that Wolves have consistently had higher attendances all season. Argument over!! No point discussing it further.
I noted your support last night was not exactly massive by the way!
Report abuse
36. wulf in nottingham.
I agree, all the talk about attendances is ridiculous.
All that matters is the league position.
By the way, my Dad is bigger than yours.
Report abuse
I TOLD ‘EM FROM THE START!
I watched the match in the Horse+Jockey last night ,to a man every body was suprised by the team, it was interesting to feel the same quiet nervous tension and hear the same negative comments as I do at the match FOR GODS SAKE AND FOR THE SAKE OF THE TEAM PLEASE,PLEASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE
what ever happens from now till the end of the season try seeing the positive and support the team.
There were a few going away with a new word in their vocabulary TRANQILLO I don’t know where they got it.
You could see the new game plan last night and it just got stronger as the game went on. I don’t know if any body noticed every time the camera’s were on Roy, especially at 1-0 he was telling them to “Keep Their Shape”, I was impressed.
baggiescomeon
Just go away! I’m sick and tired on fans, no not fans that the wrong word, people like you every word of your post is negative don’t you think after just 2 games in charge we should be looking to support not criticize.
Dorrans was a fault for the goal 100%.
You watched a different Fortune to me.
Have you ever played football and over hit a pass? I don’t suppose you have.
Max(Aled)Wall
Hello stranger! I have to disagree with your interpretation of their goal.If you see it again you’ll see 2 players,Dorrans and Delap standing in front of Carson, the ball comes in at head height what was he suppose to do? knock them out of the way and concede a penalty.IMO Dorrans was not strong enough in his challenge.
I’m looking forward to the remaining matches with positive intrigue.
Adeu
Report abuse
36 wolf in notts.-
Haven’t you missed the point somewhat?- that a wolves fan continues to laugh sarcastically at Albion having crowds that sometimes total 23,000,when at the same time you have an 11,000 attendance?
Doesn’t that make him look just a little bit stupid? It must look that way to even an outside observer,surely?
Report abuse
CR78
Cheers mate!! I was only away for the Wolves weekend but had a manic week at work last week so didn’t get chance to post. After vigorous scouting on the internet, I managed to find a bar with the Wolves game on and both frighten and irritate about 30 family-orientated Belgian diners when Vela scored the equalizer. It’s good to be back.
Wolf in Nottingham
You’re completely missing the point. I was only highlighting that Poorthorns is so wrapped up in getting one over on the Albion, he completely overlooks the failings of his own.
Wolves do get higher crowds than the Albion, but Wolverhampton is a city twice the size of West Bromwich that isn’t surrounded by Premiership football clubs (Blues and Villa). You also have a catchment area of half of South Staffordshire and Shropshire almost all the way up to the Welsh border. So there you go, an average crowd of a couple of thousand higher than the Albion, 25 years after being watched by one man and a dog. You must be so proud.
Report abuse
40 Warren-
so I’m guessing you’ve had an experience this last week-
maybe from the Bruges of Belgium,then on to the Bruisers of Stoke?
(OK,top of the head stuff,I’m working on it…..).
Report abuse
SUPER KEV IN MALLORCA
I will take another look mate , although i have it from a reliable source that Carson as been seen in Egypt and Libya in recent weeks !!!!
Hope you are well.
Report abuse
CR78
The bruisers of Burslem? Or is that one of the only areas in Stoke-on-Trent that belongs to Port Vale and not Stoke???
It was an experience. I had to sit through it with a Wolves fan from Marston Green who now lives in Brussels. In itself not massively painful, but for the fact he was one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever meet. Remaining friendly and humble towards him as the points were slipping from our grasp was quite challenging.
Wall Heath
I think you’re right. I heard Carson paid for the flights with the bonus he received from RBS.
Report abuse
Ok, some fair points made there actually…
Though the point I’m making is that it’s just a ridiculous thing to keep going on about the whole time……the most important thing being to stay in the Premier League.
Personally, I’d love us both to stay up – maybe they could even think to televise the Derby next year??
Sadly though, what with West Ham getting a few results together and Blackpool getting a win here and there, I fear for us both…….
Let’s hope for Wigan, West Ham and Blackpool…
Report abuse
31,39,
YEP!
Report abuse
How proud you steptoes must be that you’re one point ahead of us ha ha at the end of October you were 6th with 22points and that village terry was boasting about Europe next season if anyone deserves an award for talking absolute s… its that village, also don’t forget steptoes there’s still 10 games to go and the small matter of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Wolves out of the big clubs you have left to play so lets just see where we both are in May. Wolves Ay we /\_/\
Report abuse
45.
Quality.
Report abuse
46 wolves1877-
you say Albion still have the ‘big clubs’ to play- Arsenal,Chelsea,Liverpool,and wooolves(?????)-
Since when did a botton three,relegation bound club become one of the ‘Big four’?
You’re just an embarrassment,everyone’s laughing at you over here.
Report abuse