Stoke City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion: Potters fight back to claim crucial point

Stoke City are four points above the relegation zone with five matches left to play

Stoke City came from two goals down to salvage a point against promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion and boost their Championship survival hopes.

The fifth-placed Baggies looked on course for a 20th league win of the season as goals from Mikey Johnston and Jed Wallace in either half put them in control in Staffordshire.

But Million Manhoef gave Stoke hope with a slick finish midway through the second half before Andre Vidigal netted from the rebound after having a penalty saved to earn the hosts a draw.

West Brom now hold a six-point advantage over Coventry City who are seventh.

Stoke are 18th in the table, four points above the drop zone.

The Potters started brightly as Manhoef latched on to Ryan Mmaee's through ball but was unable to fire beyond Alex Palmer.

Sead Haksabanovic then dragged a shot wide after being found by Bae Jun-ho as the hosts continued to threaten in the early stages.

But it was West Brom who took the lead midway through the first half.

Johnston cut in from the left to play a one-two with Grady Diangana before rifling beyond Daniel Iversen.

It fully typified the resolve and quality of a Baggies side who were unbeaten in eight matches ahead of their trip to the bet365 Stadium.

Despite the setback, Stoke remained positive and came close to an equaliser as Manhoef teed up Enda Stevens whose thumping hit flew wide.

Stoke's lack of ruthlessness in the final third was evident though, and somewhat predictable given that only Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday had scored fewer league goals than them this season.

Nevertheless, Steven Schumacher's side remained on the front foot after the break as they went in search of an equaliser.

But shortly after Tyrese Campbell replaced Mmaee, the Baggies doubled their lead.

Brandon Thomas-Asante raced beyond Josh Laurent before having his cross cut out by goalkeeper Iversen who could only palm into the path of Wallace who lifted the ball into the net from the edge of the six-yard box.

An already difficult task did not appear destined to get any easier as Campbell dragged wide after being played through by Vidigal.

Stoke gave themselves a lifeline on 68 minutes though as they finally found a way past Palmer.

Manhoef collected Ki-Jana Hoever's backheeled pass before slotting beyond Palmer at the near post.

It set up a tense finish, and Stoke were presented with an opportunity to level proceedings when Campbell was taken out by Yann M'Vila.

Vidigal's spot-kick was a poor one, with Palmer getting a strong hand to the Portuguese winger's penalty, although Vidigal lashed home from the rebound.

Andreas Weimann very nearly snatched victory for West Brom deep into injury time, although he clipped wide from close range to ensure the spoils were shared.

Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher:

"I'm proud of the players, we definitely deserved something from the game.

"I felt we were the better team and we started the game really well. We had our press right and we caused West Brom problems when we had the ball.

"We've shown character to come from behind, that's two games in a row now and that should give everyone a bit of confidence."

West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan:

"I think if you analyse the fact that you were winning the game with two goals difference in the second half, of course you are going to be disappointed with the result.

"If we're fair, Stoke City were creating a lot of problems in the first half that we couldn't manage well.

"We had a lot of accuracy with our chances, that's why we went 2-0 up. However, it's true that we suffered in defence - a lot more than we wanted to.

"We couldn't stop their way to attack and that's why they scored their two goals."