Hughes earns stay of execution at Stoke after nail-biting finish
Mark Hughes’s fingernails will take some time to return to normal length, but this victory earns the Stoke City manager a stay of execution.
It was nervy, excruciating and chaotic, yet Stoke wheezed and spluttered to only their second Premier League triumph in nine games, ensuring Hughes will see the year out in a job.
He must have thought he was in for a stress-free afternoon after Stoke’s convincing first half, when they raced into a two-goal lead, seemingly in control.
But from the moment West Brom scored, the Bet365 Stadium was turned into an arena of anxiety. Hughes spent most of the second half prowling his technical area in discomfort, enduring an unfolding nightmare until Ramadan Sobhi finally killed off the game in the final seconds with the third goal.
Hughes appeared visibly relieved. “I didn’t really have any doubts [about his job], but I’m more confident after this week,” he said. “I’m really proud of everyone connected with Stoke, the staff, the players and the owners, John and Peter Coates. They have been really supportive.
“The big thing for us now is to build on this and really have a good second half of the season.”
Stoke are now only three points behind Watford in 10th place, further evidence of this most capricious of leagues, while West Brom’s dreadful run continues.
It is now 18 games without a win for Albion, head coach Alan Pardew only taking one point from five games since succeeding Tony Pulis.
While other strugglers have experienced a ‘bounce’ after sacking their managers, Pardew is still waiting for lift-off. Food for thought for the Stoke board, perhaps.
Something had to give here. Stoke have struggled defensively, conceding a league-high 40 goals, while West Brom had scored just once since Pardew’s appointment before today.
The home team took the lead in the 18th minute, with a goal completely out of kilter with the dross which had preceded it.
Peter Crouch volleyed Maxim Choupo-Moting’s deflected shot across the six-yard box, which perfectly positioned Joe Allen diverted over the line.
West Brom’s chronic lack of goals was laid bare as they tried to respond. Salomon Rondon, the £12 million striker, did produce Albion’s best chance of the first half, forcing a fine save from Jack Butland two minutes before the break.
It proved a vital save, in front of Gordon Banks, the former England and Stoke goalkeeper who was sat in the director’s box, as Stoke increased their lead in added time.
This time, Choupo-Moting casually rounded Ben Foster and switched from his right foot to left to find the empty net. Seconds later, West Brom were booed off by 2,302 travelling fans.
The atmosphere was transformed in the 51st minute as Rondon finally seized an opportunity. Chris Brunt’s lofted pass caught out the Stoke defence, and Rondon ambled into the area to poke the ball under Butland.
Suddenly, Stoke were rocking nervously and being pushed back. Jonny Evans’s header was deflected over, and substitute Jay Rodriguez was unable to hook Gareth Barry’s pass past Butland.
Hughes was like a cat on hot bricks in his technical area, and there was an agonising moment in added time when defender Tom Edwards nearly put the ball into his own net.
However, the game was finally made safe when Choupo-Moting led a breakaway, passing unselfishly to substitute Sobhi, who could not miss.
“Deeply frustrating,” said Pardew. “This team has been a long time without winning, but in the second half, we showed commitment and desire but also great quality.
“We have half a season left, but we have to find a win. We’ve got to find seven or eight wins to stay in the division – it needs to start soon for us.”