TOP BIL-LING
Slaven’s Baggies two good for Potters
WEST BROM stormed back to the top of the league but sorry Stoke remain bottom.
The pair were relegated from the Premier League in 2018.
But whereas Albion are again pushing to return to the top flight promptly, the Potters’ dire season continues to implode.
Slaven Bilic’s cannily-assembled Baggies show a promotion bid need not cost a fortune after this deserved win, with goals in either half from Matt Phillips and Hal Robson-Kanu.
But Stoke have managed to squander millions and may even yet end up in League One.
They were easily outclassed last night, despite the hosts sacking boss Nathan Jones and making five changes.
When the Potters appoint their fifth manager in under two years he will have a big challenge just to keep the side in the division, judging by this showing. It is unlikely to be Preston’s Alex Neil after North End threatened to report Stoke to the EFL over an alleged illegal approach.
Neil has since reiterated his commitment to stay at Deepdale, having signed a new three-year contract earlier this year.
The row has dealt a blow to Stoke’s hopes of a swift appointment in time for Saturday’s trip to Barnsley – with a third return for Tony Pulis under consideration.
West Brom, however, appear in fine shape and have been boosted by Gareth Barry penning a new deal after the midfielder battled back from knee surgery to prove his fitness.
West Brom made one change, with full-back Conor Townsend coming in for the suspended Nathan Ferguson.
Bilic’s men made a bright start to capitalise on Stoke’s woes at the foot of the table.
They took the lead in the eighth minute from a well-worked goal which exposed Stoke’s defensive frailties.
Grady Diangana played a clever one-two with Jake Livermore before crossing for Phillips to tap in for his sixth of the season.
It was far too easy as Tommy Smith failed to track Diangana and Liam Lindsay switched off at the back post. Stoke tried to hit back as Sam Vokes got a header on target.
But West Brom remained the more dangerous side as rightback Darnell Furlong flashed a shot wide from distance.
The hosts, who brought on James McClean, with the Irishman again appearing to decline to wear a poppy on his shirt, showed more urgency after the break as Cameron CarterVickers blazed a shot over.
But Stoke’s night got worse on 69 minutes when West Brom sub Robson-Kanu scored from the spot after Diangana was clumsily felled by Carter-Vickers in the box.
Robson-Kanu despatched the spot-kick for his third of the season before later hitting the post with a header.