Stoke end away-day woe to boost survival hopes

Stoke boosted their hopes of staying in the Premier League as Tony Pulis’s side ended their away-day woe with a 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

After 15 away league matches without a victory this season, Stoke finally savoured the sweet taste of success on their travels thanks to goals from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie at the Hawthorns.

Stoke’s win – their first away in the top-flight since 1984 – moves them six points clear of the relegation zone.

Albion’s fortunes look much bleaker. Tony Mowbray’s side are rooted to the bottom of the table after a woeful run of 11 matches without a win and need to overhaul an eight-point gap in just seven matches to climb out of the relegation zone.

Stoke had taken just four away points this term but they made a dream start in the second minute thanks to two errors by the home defence.

Shelton Martis failed to deal with a ball down the line from Danny Higginbotham. Fuller seized possession and lashed in a long-range effort that Scott Carson allowed to creep under his body and into the net.

It was all Stoke in the early stages and Baggies defender Jonas Olsson conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the box after bringing down Beattie. Carson partially atoned for his blunder by going full length to turn Glenn Whelan’s curling effort around the post.

Jay Simpson finally gave the home fans some encouragement when he sent a powerful 25-yard shot only a couple of feet wide with Thomas Sorensen scrambling across his line.

But Stoke were still looking the more dangerous team on the counter-attack and Matthew Etherington wasted a golden chance to double their lead.

The former Tottenham player bore down on goal after a perfectly-weighted ball from Whelan. But, with only Carson to beat, he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Stoke increased their lead in the 49th minute when Fuller broke down the left and then attempted to dink the ball into the Baggies’ box. Olsson and Gianni Zuiverloon both failed to clear and Beattie needed no second invitation in crashing a powerful left-footed drive past Carson.

The Baggies had to strike back immediately to have an chance and Simpson got clear at the far post following a cross from Robinson but he poked his shot wide.

Chris Brunt crashed a shot against the crossbar as Albion desperately searched for a way back into the match.

Roman Bednar deflected a shot from Robert Koren into the net after 80 minutes but had strayed offside. That summed up Albion’s day.