Stoke City have produced a smash-and-grab away victory against West Bromwich Albion courtesy of a Dean Whitehead strike.
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Most of the danger in the opening 15 minutes came from crosses for both sides. Shane Long could not get enough on his header from a Steven Reid cross.
Stoke were looking the most threatening side but both teams struggled to create chances inside the first half-hour.
Graham Dorrans flashed the ball across goal but no West Brom player could meet it for a tap-in.
In the 35th minute, Reid spotted Asmir Begovic off his line and tried to catch him out from nearly the half-way line. The goalkeeper was forced to tap it behind for a corner.
Begovic was worked again 10 minutes into the second half, this time Markus Rosenberg trying to curl it into the corner.
The fouls and yellow cards continued to flow as West Brom started to gain control of the game.
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However, it was Stoke who broke the deadlock in the 75th minute through Whitehead. He made a late run into the box and finished from Michael Kightly's cross.
West Brom were unable to get the equaliser and Stoke took all three points.
Matt Domm
