The Sunday Post (Dundee)

preMier leAgue

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SALOMON RONDON’S stoppageti­me header denied Stoke their first Premier League win of the season as they were held to a home draw by West Brom in ex-Potters boss Tony Pulis’ 1000th game as a manager.

Mark Hughes’ side had looked set to end their four-match losing streak in the League by claiming all three points when Joe Allen opened the scoring by bundling the ball home in the 73rd minute.

But in the end they had to settle for one, and a total of two from six games this term, after Rondon converted late on from a corner.

Stoke came close to scoring in the 25th minute when Glen Johnson lifted the ball over Ben Foster and Craig Dawson did well to head it away.

At the other end, Rondon was allowed to turn and shoot twice on the edge of the box and once inside the area, but each effort missed the target.

The hosts applied more pressure as the second half got under way, with Allen’s header being deflected over by Dawson and Ryan Shawcross nodding a corner wide of the mark at the back post.

Erik Pieters then once again tumbled in the box when feeling contact from Matt Phillips, looked at Martin Atkinson, and saw the referee dismiss another spot-kick appeal.

Soon after, Stoke’s Premier League debutant goalkeeper, Lee Grant, palmed away a curling shot from Nacer Chadli, before Potters substitute Peter Crouch, brought on for Wilfried Bony, prodded an effort wide.

The home side’s growing momentum finally yielded a goal when Xherdan Shaqiri crossed from the right, Jonny Evans’ headed attempt at a clearance fell to Allen, and the Wales internatio­nal finished from close range.

Four minutes later, Stoke were grateful to Lee Grant as he pulled off a smart diving save to keep out James McClean’s header.

But they then saw Grant beaten at the death as Rondon connected with a corner to bring things level.

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