Match Reports

Stoke City 1-2 Albion

An image of the Albion team celebrating with Karlan Grant after his Stoke goal

Albion recorded an excellent 2-1 win over Stoke City in a pulsating Sky Bet Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies claimed the spoils thanks to first-half goals from Karlan Grant and Josh Maja, either side of Lewis Koumas’ effort.

Carlos Corberán’s men - who host Swansea City next weekend - are now three unbeaten to start the 2024/25 league campaign, having earned seven points.

An image of Albion's squad celebrating a goal against Stoke

The boss named an unchanged XI and bench as his team looked to continue their positive beginning to the season.

And within 18 minutes they opened the scoring. Tom Fellows beat his man down the right and dinked a wonderful cross towards the back post, which Grant nodded home.

An image of Karlan Grant scoring against Stoke with a header

Fellows was then unfortunate to see a finish cleared off the line before, moments later, Stoke equalised. Koumas - son of the former Albion player - escaped the visitors’ defence and converted what was their maiden chance of the game.

The Baggies were not discouraged and immediately hit back, grabbing their second just after the half-hour mark via a superb move. Darnell Furlong’s defence-splitting pass found the outstanding Fellows, who secured his second assist when Maja side-footed past Viktor Johansson.

Stoke’s Koumas did strike the post ahead of half-time but a fantastic first period ended with Corberán’s side ahead.

An image of Josh Maja celebrating his goal with Darnell Furlong

The second 45 began much quieter, Albion creating a couple of opportunities through Alex Mowatt and Fellows, yet neither could hit the target.

They were very nearly made to pay, too, giving possession away and watching Koumas agonisingly smack the woodwork once again 20 minutes from time.

Stoke pushed hard for a leveller late on, however the Baggies saw it out well and sent their 3,041 fantastic travelling supporters home happy.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Heggem; Molumby (Diakite 86), Mowatt; Fellows (Wallace 69), Swift (Frabotta), Grant (Diangana 69 - Dobbin 82); Maja.

Substitutions: Wildsmith, Taylor, McNair, Cole.