Mame Biram Diouf's fortuitous double earned Stoke City a 2-0 Premier League win over struggling West Bromwich Albion at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.
The Senegalese striker got the benefit of two deflections to end his nine-game scoring drought and secure Stoke successive victories for the first time this season.
The three points take the Potters into the top half of the table, while Albion boss Alan Irvine finds himself under serious pressure following a seventh defeat in nine games which left has them one point above the bottom three.
Below, Sports Mole analyses whether the result was reflective of the action in Staffordshire.
Match statistics
STOKE
Shots: 13
On target: 3
Possession: 51%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 11
WEST BROM
Shots: 15
On target: 4
Possession: 49%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 14
Was the result fair?
Fortune was certainly against Irvine and his boys today. They were the better team before the break and deflections contributed to both of Stoke's goals. Had Gareth McAuley scored his golden chance at 1-0 then it could have been a different story, but Albion did not possess the same quality in the final third as Stoke.
Stoke's performance
Mark Hughes would have been hoping that his side would come flying out of the blocks following their morale-boosting win at Everton, but it took a while for the Potters to get going. When they did, Bojan was central to everything good that they produced. He was happy to drop deep to collect the ball, or have it into his feet on the edge of the box, and played a supporting role in both of the goals.
The double for Diouf will do his confidence the world of good after a barren run, and the striker perhaps deserved the element of luck that came his way due to his energetic performance. Steven N'Zonzi was again a commanding presence in midfield, and helped Stoke's solid back four comfortably maintain their two-goal advantage in the latter stages.
West Brom's performance
The Baggies left the field to a standing ovation at half time after a first-half performance which was full of intricacies and tidy build-up play. They were generally very good until they reached the edge of the box, where they ran out of ideas. This was most evident in Brown Ideye, whose movement leading the line was excellent, but his finishing continues to fall short.
Conceding early in the second period knocked the stuffing out of them slightly, but the introductions of Saido Berahino and Silvestre Varela briefly injected them with some fresh energy before Stoke's second. Ben Foster could do little about either goal, which was a shame as he and the Albion defence had previously negated the aerial threat of Peter Crouch rather well. Good performances are not enough for Irvine anymore, though. He needs results, and fast.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Mame Biram Diouf: Not the most aesthetic brace that you will ever see, but Diouf was undoubtedly the match-winner. While his second had more than a slice of luck to it, his first was largely well taken and partially self-created thanks to his subtle movement in the box. His running power gave Stoke a great outlet whether it was out wide or through the middle after Crouch's withdrawal.
Biggest gaffe
McAuley's miss came at such a crucial juncture in the game. To criticise a defender for failing to score is stretching the word 'gaffe', but the Irishman only had to poke the ball into a largely unguarded net from six yards. Instead, he hit the post, and Stoke quickly raced up the other end to net their second.
Referee performance
Roger East had an excellent game, correctly waving away a penalty appeal from either side. When West Brom's frustrations boiled over in the latter stages, he went to his pocket to caution Chris Brunt and Chris Baird.
What next?
Stoke: Can they make it three wins in a row? In-form Manchester United are their visitors on New Year's Day.
West Brom: The Baggies travel to West Ham United on Thursday in what could be a crunch game for Irvine
Joe Fish
