Ideye sends West brom closer to safety

Brown Ideye was the hero once again as West Brom edged out Stoke City 1-0 to move 11 points of the English Premier League relegation zone at the Hawthorns.

Ideye headed the only goal of the game in the first half to end a three-match winning run in the league for Mark Hughes’ men, who were second best before the break, but improved after half-time.

A flurry of injuries – to Ben Foster, Victor Moses and Jonathan Walters – disrupted the second half and Pulis’ old club failed to sufficiently trouble replacement West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

The hosts could have extended the margin of victory, but wasted countless chances before hanging on to recover from two defeats in the space of four days to Midlands rivals Aston Villa.

The visitors responded with better possession, but no real penetration, and West Brom took a deserved lead in the 20th minute.

Ideye evaded marking of Phil Bardsley to steer a stooping header into the far corner.