Stoke City 1-2 West Brom: Jayson Molumby double boosts Baggies bid for promotion
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West Bromwich Albion breathed fresh life into their Championship promotion challenge as they came from behind to win a fiery Midlands derby at Stoke.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Jayson Molumby struck twice in the space of 10 second-half minutes as the Baggies turned it round after Jacob Brown's first-half opener.
Albion had picked up just one point in their previous six away games - and that miserable record looked set to continue when Brown chested home Morgan Fox's cross on the half-hour mark, his seventh league goal of the season.
But Molumby levelled from close range on 59 minutes - and then on 69 minutes he got another to complete the Albion comeback and earn a season's double over former Baggies target Alex Neil's Potters.
Stoke then had defender Ben Pearson sent off in injury time, which helped Albion see out victory and move to just two points outside the Championship play-off zone with a game in hand.
After Stoke took the lead they had defender Ben Wilmot stretchered off after landing awkwardly, before luckless Baggies striker Daryl Dike also had to go off after a similar incident, with an Achilles injury that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
But it was Carlos Corberan's side who were the least unsettled as they upped their game after the break.
Substitute Karlan Grant went close with a powerful shot which brought a great save from Jack Bonham - but Albion scored from the resulting corner.
Brandon Thomas-Asante's strike deflected off team-mate Nathaniel Chalobah onto the bar - and Molumby scrambled home the rebound.
Thomas-Asante then had a great chance, through on goal, only to be denied by Bonham but Molumby spared his blushes moments later.
John Swift's shot was blocked on the line by Dujon Sterling and Grant hit the bar with the rebound. But again Molumby, who had only been passed fit to play after a pain-killing injection. was on hand to help himself to the winner.
Who's next?
Both sides are straight back in action on Tuesday with games against relegation-battling teams.
The Potters have a home game against bottom club Wigan Athletic, while Albion are on the road at next-to-bottom Blackpool.
Stoke City boss Alex Neil:
"The referee's performance is as poor as I've seen at senior level. The way to gauge a referee's performance is, if you don't really notice them, then they've had a pretty good game.
"He was like a pantomime villain for both teams, particularly for us and you could see that boil over. Our players played with anger and frustration due to some of the decisions as they felt they were hard done by.
"They didn't play with a freedom or a focus on the game that they should have had, and that affected some of the performances.
"Getting Ben Pearson sent off is stupid for him and disappointing for us, but you can understand his frustration. If the referee got control of the game, I don't think anybody would have any complaints. There was a lot of frustration and anger."
West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
"I am very proud of the mentality that the players showed. When you are suffering you either give up, or you face up and overcome, and that's what we did.
"We showed the character that was necessary to win the three points. The difference between the first and second half was the determination in the second half. We played with a lot of heart and put that on the pitch.
"The goals were goals of desire, passion and mentality and this is what we are and what we can do. These are the most important goals we've scored this season.
"Daryl Dike's injury looks like an Achilles injury. They never are good. Achilles injuries are never easy to manage but still, we need to assess."