COME BACK KYLE Wilder would just love a Walker return to Blades
Campbell lands Baggies in soup
WEST BROM really blew their big chance to go four points clear at the top of the table.
The Baggies had been handed a ‘free hit’ after Leeds lost on Saturday but ended up getting nothing thanks to a Tyrese Campbell goal after just nine minutes.
Take nothing away from Stoke – this was a welcome and wellearned win but it came at a cost to Albion who have gone six league games without a win.
They still remain top, but are making hard work of it.And it could have been even worse because Matheus Pereira should have been sent off midway through the first half for flooring Joe Allen with his elbow.
West Brom lost Grady Diangana, their on-loan star fromWest Ham, who was making his comeback after a month out with a back injury, after 90 seconds when he collapsed in a heap.Then they quickly found themselves a goal behind when a superb ball from Nick Powell split their backline.
Tom Ince raced on to it and though Ahmed Hegazi tried to clear he only managed to kick it into Ince and help him on his way. Ince found
Campbell at the far post and the striker bundled the ball home.
WEST BROM (4-2-3-1): Johnstone 6; Furlong 6, Bartley 6, Hegazi 5, Townsend 6 (Brunt 75); Sawyers 6, Livermore 7; Phillips 7, Pereira 7, Diangana 3 (Zohore 4, 6); Robson-Kanu 6 (Austin 75).
STOKE (4-2-3-1): Butland 7; Smith 7, Batth 7, Lindsay 7, Martins Indi 7; Allen 8, Clucas 7; Ince 7(Collins 87), Powell 8 (Cousins 72, 5), McClean 7; Campbell 7 (Gregory 25, 6). Goal: Campbell 9.
KYLE WALKER has been told by Chris Wilder he will be welcome back at Sheffield United when he finishes at Manchester City.
Walker has said he would like to end his career with his beloved Blades, having spent 12 years at his boyhood club before leaving to join Tottenham in 2009.
The City defender has watched the Blades at Bramall Lane this season, and manager Wilder said: “I tried to tap him up when we played City. He’s a Sheffield boy, but he said he’s got another couple of years playing there.
“He’s one I would take. I think the world of him. I’m sure we’ll be able to find a role for him when he leaves Manchester.
“He’s a top player and he’s already said he wants to finish a brilliant career back at Sheffield United. Don’t count against it.
“He’s got my number and he knows he can phone me anytime. He’s still a top performer in the best league
FVin the world. He’s welcome back here anytime.”
Walker, 29, returns to Bramall Lane tonight with
City, while Wilder says another famous old boy, Harry Maguire, has also been back to see them.
Wilder met several former Blades players at a fans’ dinner and says they are delighted by the team’s Premier League success.
“Some clubs’ ex-players, I get the feeling, don’t want the current crop to do well because they want to be remembered as possibly the best players and teams.
“But I never hear that here.The former players are real supporters. They’re enjoying watching us play and seeing our progression.”
Wilder says the Blades will have to be at their best to get anything against City, adding: “We know they will have the ball a lot but we can cause them problems going the other way.”
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