Gayle-force Dwight is two good for Rowett
DWIGHT GAYLE blew Stoke away and looks like the man to take the Baggies back to the Premier League.
West Brom went down with Stoke last season and the Potters began this one as favourites to go back up.
But promotion specialist Gayle took them apart.
Forget Erik Pieters’ late long-range consolation, they were beaten long before then.
Gayle struck in the 16th minute with a solo effort that baffled one Stoke player and left two on their backsides.
And he smashed his second goal 14 minutes into the second half.
Stoke – who have lost forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to French side Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer – simply could not cope with him.
Gayle is at The Hawthorns on a season-long loan deal in a move that took Salomon Rondon to Newcastle.
He grabbed 23 goals for the Magpies when they were promoted two seasons ago – and he has scored three already this season, as well as earning three penalties.
“He scored two very good goals,” said West Brom boss Darren Moore.
“Gayle’s calmness and composure in front of goal is there for all to see.
“We could have had more goals. We have a real threat.
“If we are not fluent in games it’s good to know that we have players who can get something out of nothing.”
Gayle’s first goal was classy as he dragged the ball away from Cuco Martina then beat Bruno Martins Indi and keeper Jack Butland before sliding in his shot.
His second was crashed in from Jake Livermore’s pass.
Stoke substitute Benik Afobe put a penalty given away by Livermore against the bar and Potters boss Gary Rowett said: “Gayle is a fantastic player but he’s walked through senior players for the first goal.
“For the second it was schoolboy defending.
“The penalty impacted the game. The referee said it wasn’t a sending off because the ball hits the post and Livermore accidentally handballs it. But he deliberately handballed it.”