Stoke City succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion in a Premier League clash that controversially saw the hosts reduced to nine men within the first half hour.
Ibrahim Afellay saw red after lashing out at Craig Gardner following the Baggies man's tackle in the 25th minute, while Charlie Adam was sent off just six minutes later for a stamp on Craig Dawson.
It looked like the Potters could keep their clean sheet until the break, but Salomon Rondon struck what proved to be the winner on the stroke of half time.
Sports Mole analyses the performances of all the players who took part at the Britannia Stadium, and assesses who gave it their all for their team and who let the side down.
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STOKE
Goal
Jack Butland: Pulled off a great save with the game still goalless, had little chance with the winner, and kept surprisingly quiet thereafter despite his side's two-man disadvantage. (7/10)
Defence
Glen Johnson: Put in a good shift prior to his injury-perpetuated substitution, performing well at the back and often charging forward to good effect. (7/10)
Erik Pieters: Forced the visitors out on the wings time and time again, refusing to let anything through him. (7/10)
Geoff Cameron: Did well to keep everything in front of him and was one of the main reasons why Stoke only lost by a single goal. (8/10)
Marc Muniesa: Solid throughout, save for one mishap which, sadly for him, proved crucial in allowing Rondon on the end of Lambert's cross for the opener. (6/10)
Midfield
Glenn Whelan: An admirable performance from both a defensive perspective, efficiently shutting Fletcher and Morrison out, and also in attack, launching and slipping some neat balls into the final third. (8/10)
Ibrahim Afellay: Didn't have much of a chance to get into the game before he was forced out of it, courtesy of a petulant slap on Gardner. (2/10)
Charlie Adam: Could have been the stand-out player for Stoke, as he was at the heart of his side's attacking action thanks to some good playmaking, but his stamp on Dawson saw him dismissed and left his side with a mountain to climb. (4/10)
Marco van Ginkel: Ran well on the ball and was apt at holding it up as he waited for support. Also won several free kicks and generally shone for his side. (7/10)
Xherdan Shaqiri: Showed flashes of class but was left starved of service and effectively redundant once his side fell to nine men. (7/10)
Attack
Mame Biram Diouf: Put in a good shift and covered plenty of ground but was also left isolated up front once Afellay and Adam were dismissed. (7/10)
Substitutes
Marc Wilson: No complaints or issues from Johnson's replacement, was steady and sturdy at the back. (7/10)
Stephen Ireland: Had too little time to make in impact with his side two men down and just ten minutes to play. (6/10)
Marko Arnautovic: Brilliant work rate and a constant menace in the final third, his performance got his side up another gear and could have nearly earned them a point. (8/10)
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WEST BROM
Goal
Boaz Myhill: Was steady in between the sticks, stopping the many half-chances which flew his way with ease. Wasn't truly tested though. (7/10)
Defence
Joleon Lescott: Tidy in his set-piece clearances, but didn't have all that much to do. (6/10)
Jonas Olsson: Also steady enough at the back when he was called upon to perform, which wasn't too often. (6/10)
Gareth McAuley: Did well to nullify an incredibly hard-working Diouf prior to the dismissals, largely untroubled thereafter. (6/10)
Craig Dawson: Defensively sound, provided vital cover such as when Adam's probing ball for Diouf was thwarted early on, and also provided good support on the overlap. (7/10)
Midfield
James Morrison: Showed flashes of skill with some decent passes now and then but not his best game and nowhere near as good as he was against Chelsea. (6/10)
Craig Gardner: Picked out some smart passes on the counter and was strong in the tackle, his challenge on Afellay prompting retaliation and subsequent dismissal for the ex-Barcelona man. (7/10)
James McClean: Provided good defensive cover early on and was able to roam into the spaces left open by Stoke's two-man deficit, though wasn't at his best on the flank. (6/10)
Claudio Yacob: Sacrificed early on for Lambert as Tony Pulis sought to make his side more attack-heavy. Before then, though, he could have performed better defensively. (6/10)
Darren Fletcher: Responsible in possession and dictated the tempo well. Came close to doubling his side's lead with an effort which was deflected just wide. (7/10)
Attack
Salomon Rondon: A constant menace up front, though he needed several attempts to break the deadlock, which left people questioning his transfer fee until his well-taken goal. (7/10)
Substitutes
Cristian Gamboa: Strong in possession on the flank, always looking to take on his markets, but his final ball was left wanting. (7/10)
Callum McManaman: Made some decent runs down the left wing and was a constant menace in the box. (7/10)
Rickie Lambert: Subbed on with his manager eager to hammer down the Stoke hatches, and his cross duly gave Rondon the opportunity to head his side into the lead. Did little to test Butland on his own accord though. (7/10)
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