Pulis fails to touch gloves after a real grudge match
THE animosity in the stands as Saido Berahino made his Hawthorns return spread to the dugout as Mark Hughes criticised Tony Pulis for failing to offer a handshake and suggested Albion played a part in leaking details of the drug ban served by Stoke’s new £12million boy.
Berahino (below) was subjected to vicious boos and chants from before kickoff and after coming on in the 58th minute he touched the ball just four times.
James Morrison’s goal gave West Brom a sixth home win in seven league games to solidify their status as the best of the rest. It did little to lift Hughes’ mood.
The Stoke boss was livid that Sportsmail this week revealed news of Berahino’s suspension for testing positive for a recreational drug. And he was nonplussed at Pulis’s actions.
‘We knew at some point it would come out but it was disappointing,’ Hughes said.
‘West Brom were able keep the issue under wraps for six, seven weeks but, lo and behold, two days before the game and it comes out.
‘People would suggest maybe West Brom had something to do with that. That would be unfair, wouldn’t it? I’m not saying that, but you can interpret it like that.’
Pulis shot down the tunnel as the final whistle sounded on a victory over his former club and Hughes added: ‘I didn’t see him to shake his hand. I was pitchside for some time. He didn’t shake my hand before the game either.’
To complete the ugliness, rival fans traded blows in the Smethwick End after full-time, overshadowing what was at times a beautiful display by West Brom. Their decisive moment arrived on six minutes but they could have won more comfortably.
The goal came from a stylish counter sparked when Gareth McAuley nipped possession off the toes of Joe Allen and fed Darren Fletcher. The West Brom captain funnelled the ball to Nacer Chadli and the Belgian teased Phil Bardsley before sliding a marvellous pass behind Glenn Whelan to the feet of Morrison, who had timed his run perfectly.
He applied a neat left-foot finish into the far corner for his third goal in five games.
Stoke’s Lee Grant had to make fine saves from Salomon Rondon and James McClean. Stoke did hit the outside of the post through Ryan Shawcross and both Allen and Erik Pieters might have done better with headers.
The only time Berahino came even close to placing his name in a positive light, he was left frustrated at Julien Ngoy’s inability to pick out a cross.