Video: Tony Pulis and Darren Fletcher on Stoke win

Tony Pulis admitted Albion made hard work of their 1-0 win over nine man Stoke.

Salomon Rondon's first goal for the club earned the Baggies a first Premier League victory of the campaign after the hosts had Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam dismissed in the space of six first half minutes.

But Pulis admitted his side were not at their best and when asked if they had made hard work of it, he replied: "Yeah, very much so

"The first half when the players were sent off I thought we did okay and Salomon scored a great goal.

"When it was 11 vs 11 they looked the better side and looked more threatening although we probably had the best chance with James Morrison.

"Butland's made an unbelievable save.

[youtube] [/youtube]

"I was right behind that and I don't know how he's kept that out, it's just a remarkable save.

"I'm really pleased with Salomon.

"He's still not 110 per cent fit and he needs games and time and the opportunity to get used to football in England, but his movement off the ball was first-class.

"Lambert's pass and his finish was very very good."

Pulis said he had not had a chance to see either red card incident again. Afellay was the first to be dismissed on 25 minutes when he lashed out at Craig Gardner, with Adam following him quickly back to the dugout for stamping on Craig Dawson.

Rondon's goal, on the stroke of half-time, meant the Albion head coach tasted victory on his first return to former club Stoke as an opposing manager.

Pulis was given a warm reception from the home supporters at the Britannia Stadium.

"The respect you get or I got is just special," he said.

[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text="Do you agree with Tony Pulis?" button="Log in and start commenting"]

"They're a special lot and it's a special club and it will always be close to me and the family because we spent a lot of time here.

"What people forget is the first time round with the Icelandics in charge and how difficult and tough that was, the final game of that season, beating Reading to stay in the Championship.

"I think the majority of the supporters will remember that game not the games where we got promoted and then the Premier League games and then Valencia and Man City in the cup final or Bolton in the semi-final.

"A lot of supporters still look back at those days and they were dark days at times, but we kept going and kept the club going and in the Championship."