Eighth-placed Albion on 36 points from 24 games
- Morrison's second goal in as many games (6)
- Baggies unbeaten in five encounters against Potters
- Fletcher makes 300th Premier League appearance
- Attendance: 23,921
- Albion Star Man: Jake Livermore
JAMES Morrison's fifth goal of the season ensured in-form Albion triumphed 1-0 over Stoke City to make it six Premier League wins in seven games at The Hawthorns.
The midfielder applied a well-taken finish to Nacer Chadli's exquisite pass in just the sixth minute to record his second goal in as many matches after his midweek strike at Middlesbrough and seal all three points.
It follows home league wins over Sunderland, Hull City, Swansea City, Watford and Burnley since November - moving eighth-placed Albion, who have lost just one of their last six, on to 36 points from 24 matches.
Jake Livermore shone in the middle of the park on his full Albion debut, coming in for Claudio Yacob, who was admitted to hospital ahead of the encounter for tests on a possible appendicitis.
Baggies skipper Darren Fletcher also celebrated his 300th Premier League appearance with victory against the Potters, for whom Saido Berahino stepped off the bench just before the hour mark.
Salomon Rondon had already seen a goal ruled out for offside before Morrison opened the scoring early on, applying a cool finish to Chadli's inch-perfect throughball to beat Lee Grant.
The midfielder came agonisingly close to a second soon after but could not get the decisive touch to Chris Brunt's left-wing cross.
Albion, playing with swagger, dominated the opening period, Fletcher, Chadli and Matt Phillips enjoying half-chances to double the advantage, while Rondon's powerful strike was parried away by Grant.
Yet the hosts were indebted to Ben Foster for their half-time lead as the Baggies No.1, playing his 300th career league appearance, kept out Joe Allen's free header from close range.
Phil Bardsley went close at the start of the second half before the Potters introduced Berahino off the bench for a swift return two weeks after his switch between the two clubs.
Baggies sub James McClean saw his curling long-range effort tipped over by Grant while, at the other end, Erik Pieters headed off target when well placed.
Livermore could have sealed it for the Baggies after a counter-attack but Grant smothered the ball as Albion clinched all three points.
Albion: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, McAuley, Brunt; Livermore, Fletcher (c); Chadli (McClean 66), Morrison (Field 89), Phillips (Robson-Kanu 87); Rondon.
Subs: Myhill; Olsson, Wilson, Leko.
BOOKED: Phillips (unsporting behaviour, 60), Foster (unsporting behaviour, 66)
Stoke: Grant; Bardsley, Shawcross (c), M. Indi, Pieters; Whelan, Adam (Diouf 58); Afellay (Ngoy 69), Allen, Arnautovic; Crouch (Berahino 58).
Subs: Given; Muniesa, Bony, Imbula.
BOOKED: Arnautovic (foul, 30), Martins Indi (90)
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)