Stoke City 0 West Brom 1 - Player ratings

Sam Johnstone

Was rarely troubled by Stoke’s toothless attack and had just one save to make all game. Was brave with the ball at his feet, dissecting the Potters with passes out to the midfield, and claimed a couple of crosses confidently. Now has four clean sheets in his last eight games. 7/10

Mason Holgate

Was part of a resolute back four that limited Stoke to half-chances, and provided an outlet on the right wing. Won some important headers, and put in a few dangerous crosses, but also lost possession a bit too regularly. His lung-busting run in injury time was memorable. 7/10

Craig Dawson

A return to form for Dawson, who battled hard with Sam Vokes throughout and often came up top. But his decision-making was much improved. Stepped out from defence and intercepted countless balls, before getting Albion’s attack started. Had an impressively high 98 per cent pass completion rate. 8/10

Ahmed Hegazi

Man of the match. Headed everything that came his way, nullifying Stoke’s attempts to get Vokes into the game. Was composed in possession at the back, passing when appropriate but lumping it if necessary. And his assist for the goal was sublime. 9/10

Kieran Gibbs

Had to deal with Tom Edwards, who was easily Stoke’s best player, and the young full-back did squeeze a few dangerous crosses into the box. But it was a typically reliable performance from Gibbs, who very rarely puts a foot wrong. He is Albion’s Mr Consistent. 6/10

Gareth Barry

Tom Ince may have burst past him one or two times, but it’s testament to his positioning and his experience that Stoke didn’t exploit his lack of pace more. His tackling was spot on, but it his composure in possession which makes him so effective. He is simply velvet on the ball. 8/10

Jake Livermore

Added steel to the midfield, and while he may have overstepped the mark (and the ball) on the odd occasion, he is a safe pair of hands. Had a 94 per cent pass completion rate, which only Dawson bettered on the pitch. But his off-the-ball work was more important. 7/10

Stefan Johansen

An encouraging debut that suggests he could be the all-rounder Albion need. Willing to battle, but also capable of picking a pass and getting around the pitch. Helped set up the goal with his free-kick to the back post, and immediately endeared himself to the fans by throwing them his shirt at full-time. 7/10

Jacob Murphy

Lively in the opening stages, when he was bending his run in behind and looking for balls over the top, and had Albion’s first three shots. But he faded after the break, and particularly after he was clattered by Bruno Martins Indi. Hopefully more to come. 6/10

Jay Rodriguez

Fluffed a good chance just before half-time when Butland’s punch fell to him on the edge of the box, and was guilty of being over-enthusiastic at times, giving away free-kicks while tracking back. But willing to put the hard yards in that central role, both up and down. 6/10

Dwight Gayle

He pretty much had one chance all game, but there’s no way he was missing it. Albion’s fox in the box moves onto 16 goals for the season, and has three against Stoke alone. His professional foul late on was important too, but he’s a match-winner in the final third. 7/10

Substitutes

Jefferson Montero (Murphy 74)

Played the occasion well, keeping possession when necessary.

Rekeem Harper (Johansen 81)

Added pace and dynamism at a much-needed time. Can now be trusted.

Kyle Bartley (Gayle 90+3)

Helped see the game out.

Unused: Bond, Mears, Field, Hoolahan.