Phillips strikes as Baggies end Stoke's 100% start

Nat Phillips started his career at Liverpool

Nat Phillips scored his first West Bromwich Albion goal to end Stoke City's 100% start to the Championship season.

The defender, signed from Liverpool in the summer, pounced on a mistake by Potters goalkeeper Viktor Johansson to maintain the Baggies' unbeaten start to the season.

Mark Robins's side went into the game on the back of winning their first three league games, but suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat by Bradford City in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

They hit the post through Divin Mubama in the second half but the loss means they have now failed to win any of their past seven meetings with West Brom.

Both teams had designs on top spot in the league at the start of the game, with Stoke the pace-setters and West Brom sitting fourth, but it was the Baggies who had the edge throughout.

Johansson was much the busier keeper in the first half, being forced to throw the ball out before crossing the line as he back-pedalled to catch a Mikey Johnston cross that swirled in the wind.

He was less alert a few minutes later as Alex Mowatt's corner saw him dash off his line to catch, but as he did so he bumped into team-mate Bosun Lawal and spilled the ball straight to the feet of Phillips.

The defender slotted the ball back through a mass of bodies and into the net to keep up Albion's record of scoring first in every game this season.

Stoke tried to hit back and after a fine, sweeping move from deep in their own half, the ball came to Mubama, whose shot looked goalbound until George Campbell hurled his body in the way to block for a corner.

Stoke players shouted for a penalty but the defender had done well to shove his chest in the path of the shot.

Million Manhoef's diving header was beaten away by Josh Griffiths and just after half-time Mubama was first to a swirling high ball to volley narrowly wide of the post.

Bae Jun-ho also volleyed narrowly wide but West Brom gradually took charge to see the game out to take them into second behind new leaders Middlesbrough.

'Phillips was outstanding' - post-match reaction

Stoke manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke:

"The goal we conceded, we could deal with that a little bit better, but that's nit-picking. The conditions were a little bit more difficult and it meant that when they were banging the ball forwards it was a bit unpredictable, whether the wind was blowing or not.

"I'm not blaming the elements for the defeat, but you have to consider what we've done over the four-game block. We've been really, really good and won three out of the four and whilst we can be disappointed by not picking up anything today, it wasn't for lack of effort.

"The support was noisy and right behind us, we just didn't have enough quality on the day to fashion out an opportunity, and we had a really strong penalty shout turned down."

West Brom manager Ryan Mason told BBC Radio WM:

"With the momentum Stoke were in coming into the game, and the momentum they had built up, the positivity to come away from home, win and keep a clean sheet, and the manner in which it was done, is so pleasing.

"We showed so much personality and quality at times, and suffered when we had to, but overall it was a thoroughly deserved three points.

On Nat Phillips: "Obviously he scored the winner but probably more importantly [he did well] in our defensive box as well. He was outstanding, the sort of performance you get when you bring in a man ready to compete.

"He was mature and led by example but Chris [Mepham] alongside him was outstanding as well. He's had one training session and a performance like that makes me very happy."

What's next for both teams?

The Potters will return from the international break with another big home game against newly-promoted Birmingham City on Saturday, 13 September (15:00 BST).

The Baggies are also at home in their next fixture, welcoming Derby County to The Hawthorns, with the same date and kick-off time.