Match Reports

Stoke City 1-2 Albion

An image of Jayson Molumby celebrating his second goal against Stoke

Albion came from behind to earn a crucial 1-2 victory at Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies were a goal-down at the interval via Jacob Brown’s opener.

But Carlos Corberán’s team came roaring back in the second-half to claim all three Sky Bet Championship points thanks to a Jayson Molumby brace.

The boss made three changes to his starting XI, bringing in Alex Palmer, Molumby and Daryl Dike for Josh Griffiths, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Marc Albrighton.

The returning Palmer was called into action on 14 minutes, tipping over Josh Laurent’s header as Stoke made the stronger start.

But he couldn’t prevent the hosts from taking the lead after half-an-hour – Brown converting Morgan Fox’s cross.

The end of the first-half was disrupted by two lengthy stoppages, with Stoke’s Ben Wilmot stretchered off before Albion striker Daryl Dike suffered the same fate during stoppage time.

A big 45 minutes was needed from Corberán’s men following the break, and they duly delivered.

Substitute Karlan Grant was denied an equaliser by Jack Bonham within 13 minutes of the restart, yet the resulting corner saw the Baggies grab their leveller.

Brandon Thomas-Asante volleyed John Swift’s dangerous delivery against the crossbar – but Molumby was on hand to just about convert the rebound for 1-1.

And it was through similar chaotic scenes that Albion soon grabbed their second. This time Swift had a finish cleared off the line and Grant hit the woodwork before, finally, Molumby poked home to make it 1-2.

Stoke were reduced to 10-men when Ben Pearson saw red during seven minutes of stoppage time. In truth, though, Albion excellently saw the game out to complete a fantastic, gutsy comeback.

Next up for the Baggies, who now sit two points off the top-six, is a trip to Blackpool this Tuesday.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Pieters, Townsend; Molumby, Chalobah; Wallace, Swift (Albrighton 81), Thomas-Asante; Dike (Grant 45+11).

Substitutes: Griffiths, Ingram, Livermore, Andrews, Rogic.