Pulis fumes after controversial equaliser

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has blamed a ‘shocking’ decision from the linesman for his side’s 1-1 draw with West Brom on Monday.

The Potters led 1-0 after a Rory Delap header on 53 minutes and looked set for victory until on-loan striker Carlos Vela equalised for West Brom with three minutes remaining.However, replays suggested both Vela and fellow striker Peter Odemwingie were offside in the lead-up to the goal, something which drew Pulis’ ire.Pulis told Sky Sports: “We’re disappointed but we’ve not played well tonight. I thought that’s as poor as we’ve played all season.””Give West Brom credit for coming back at us after we’d scored the goal but then looking at their goal, it’s a shocking decision by the linesman.””If he (the linesman) can’t get that right then what’s he doing officiating at our level? It’s a poor, poor decision.””If it’s on the other side or far away whatever then fine but when it’s that close and he’s looking at the line, as he is – I’ve just seen the pictures now, he’s looking at the line – they’ve got to get those decisions right, they’re very, very important decisions.”Vela could have won the match for the Baggies late on, forcing Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic into two excellent saves, and West Brom manager Roy Hodgson said his side had deserved a point even if their goal was controversial.”Whenever you have a goal like that against you, you consider yourself unlucky,” Hodgson said.”I couldn’t say whether or not it was (offside) but whenever you concede that type of goal you have the right to be frustrated or angry.””With the number of chances we created and the number of opportunities I think one goal is the least we could expect for our efforts.”Hodgson is yet to have a win since replacing Roberto Di Matteo as manager at the Hawthorns, but the former Liverpool and Fulham boss said he was happy with the result which keeps West Brom one point above the relegation zone.”I think you have got to be pleased when you come to Stoke and get a point,” Hodgson said.”At times you thought we could have even taken all three points, but it was a good team performance and I am very happy with that.””I am happy with a point also because at least it keeps us going in the right direction.”