West Brom preserve unbeaten run as Stoke’s 100 per cent start comes to an end

West Brom brought an end to Stoke’s perfect start to the Championship season after securing a 1-0 win which helped them maintain their unbeaten record and leapfrog their opponents in the table.

A first-half goal from summer signing Nat Phillips proved to be the difference between the two sides as the Baggies, whose manager Ryan Mason was serving a one-match touchline ban following his dismissal in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth last Saturday, made it three victories and one draw from their opening four games.

Defeat for Stoke comes on the back of three consecutive wins that had moved them to the top of the standings prior to the weekend fixtures.

The visitors looked the sharper of the two teams in the opening exchanges, with captain Jed Wallace’s shot from distance an early sighter.

They nearly took the lead in the 11th minute when Mikey Johnston’s cross forced back-pedalling Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson to catch the ball and throw it away to prevent his momentum from carrying it over the line.

The game’s only goal arrived a few minutes later and it was a moment to forget for Johansson, who dropped Alex Mowatt’s corner at the feet of Phillips before the centre-back stabbed the ball home to register his first goal for his new club.

Stoke came close to equalising shortly before the break but Million Manhoef’s header was well saved by Josh Griffiths after the Dutchman had met Sorba Thomas’ delivery from the left at the back post.

The hosts continued to push for the leveller after the restart and nearly restored parity when forward Divin Mubama’s shot inside the box took a deflection and struck a post following some poor defending from Callum Styles.

Tempers began to flare just before the hour mark as Potters midfielder Bae Jun-ho caught Johnston on the edge of the area to spark a melee that resulted in bookings for West Brom midfielder Isaac Price and Stoke defender Junior Tchamadeu.

Soon afterwards, Baggies striker Aune Heggebo was inches away from getting a touch to a whipped delivery across the face of the goal.

Down at the other end, Bae controlled a headed clearance on his chest before hitting a right-footed volley just wide of the right-hand post.

Thomas’ long-range effort with 15 minutes of normal time remaining was palmed over the crossbar by Griffiths but Stoke were unable to find the goal they needed as their previously unblemished record took an unwanted hit.