Brown eases pressure as Pulis puts one over old club

BROWN IDEYE’S first- half winner pulled West Brom 11 points clear of the relegation zone as Tony Pulis came back to haunt Stoke again.

The striker netted his seventh goal of the season as former Potters manager Pulis – who also beat Stoke 1- 0 while at Crystal Palace last season – saw the Baggies recover from back- toback defeats against Aston Villa.

Albion were also denied a penalty after Craig Dawson appeared to be fouled in the box, while Ideye also had a goal disallowed.

Stoke were poor, although Jonathan Walters did force substitute goalkeeper Boaz Myhill into a smart second- half save.

Mark Hughes’ side were rattled early as Albion looked for the breakthrough.

Asmir Begovic turned Saido Berahino’s shot wide and then clutched the striker’s drive as the Baggies dominated.

Shocking

West Brom went ahead on 19 minutes when Ideye ended his four- game goal drought.

It was the result of shocking defending by Phil Bardsley as he backed off Ideye, allowing him to stoop and nod Craig Gardner’s cross into the corner.

Stoke survived another scare when Ideye had a goal ruled out – correctly – for offside after Begovic had spilled the ball.

The Baggies suffered a blow 10 minutes into the second half when keeper Ben Foster was forced off after landing awkwardly and was replaced by Myhill.

Berahino headed

HAUNTING: Tony Pulis wide, but Stoke began to pin Albion back.

Myhill turned Walters’ header over, before the keeper and Gareth McAuley were forced into scrambling clearances.

Begovic produced a fine save to deny Ideye on 65 minutes and West Brom should have had a penalty 10 minutes later.

Dawson appeared to be felled by Geoff Cameron, but referee Michael Oliver ignored the claims.

Albion survived a scare in stoppage time when Myhill clattered into Peter Crouch.

Fortunately for the keeper, it was just outside the area and Myhill got away with just a booking. ON THE UP: Ideye Brown salutes his

winner