Abella at the wheel, goalkeeping trio and West Brom fan moment: Four things you missed during Albion's win at Stoke

Nat Phillips' early goal was enough for Albion to see off the league leaders Stoke - and continue their unbeaten run to the campaign.

It was a day full of positives for for Ryan Mason's side - with a number of big individual performances.

Jonny Drury looks at a few things you may have missed from the afternoon in the Potteries.

Two goalkeepers on the bench 

When Albion's squad came out, eyes were on the XI after the departures this week.

However, one of the biggest talking points came on the bench. With injuries also impacting Albion - Mason named two goalkeepers on the bench.

Joe Wildsmith was joined by youngster Joe Wallis to make up the numbers. It was a sign that Albion do need strengthen in terms of depth, but they were missing at least two players through injury.

Damia at the wheel

With Ryan Mason up in the stands - it was left to his staff to take the reigns on the touchline.

Mason was up in the directors box alongside Albion managing director Mark Miles and others - watching on with assistant Nigel Gibbs and co on the touchline.

But it was Damia Aballa who almost looked like the Albion stand in boss for much of the game, as he hardly left the technical area.

The former Barcelona man came to the club under Carlos Corberan and has remained under the last two managers.

Even under Corberan, he was very vocal and commanding in the technical area and has been under Mason, out and barking instructions.

From what we hear he has a real rapport with the players and Mason has already spoken highly of him and the staff he has inherited.

Heggebo getting fouls? What is this?!

Last week it seemed like Aune Heggebo needed to be dragged down by every player and even substitutes to even look like getting a decision against him.

The honest centre forward, whose hold up play against against Stoke was really first class - seems to be being punished by referees for being top drawer at his job.

Against Stoke, at one point he took it down, skipped through two players and held off the centre half before laying it off.

He again gave the Stoke backline the run around - and they struggled to deal with him.

He really did deserve a goal but he couldn't get on the end of a cross at the back post.

However, again he was superb. But there was a slight different to last week - he has started to get some decisions.

On a few occasions he drew fouls from the defenders, rather than being punished for his hold up play.

He is a really honest centre forward and never complains - which may at times be a downside for him.

But overall, he was so impressive again and only getting better.

Fan appreciation

Many have commented on how good the away end was - and they are not wrong.

The 3,300 plus Albion away following were unbelievable throughout the game - and there was a lovely moment after the game when the players showed their appreciation.

Players will always go and clap the fans whether it be after a win or a defeat.

But in Stoke it seemed a bit different. The players spent a few minutes to just soak it in after a battling display.

It showed a real togetherness that Mason seems to have garnered in his squad already.