Stoke City player ratings vs West Brom as Nathan Lowe revels in new start
Nathan Lowe made a goal-scoring start to life back at Stoke City as they earned a point at West Bromwich Albion.
Lowe brilliantly turned in a pass from Junior Tchamadeu to give Stoke a ninth minute lead at the Hawthorns, claiming his 19th goal of the season and first for Stoke after being recalled from a loan spell in League Two with Walsall. He came closest to adding a second for Stoke but West Brom, watched from the stands by their new manager Tony Mowbray, found an extra gear as the game went on and eventually found an equaliser through Grady Diangana.
Lowe had only needed nine minutes to add to his tally for the season and score the opening goal. A Stoke attack started when Tchamadeu made the brave call to dash inside with the ball inside his own half, slipping to Wouter Burger to release Lewis Koumas down the left wing. Koumas had Enda Stevens on the overlap and played a one-two with him before giving it back again for Stevens to cut inside for Tchamadeu, who had made it to the edge of the box, to almost mis-hit it with his left foot.
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But Lowe was lurking to stick out right foot and steer it into the bottom left corner and – fresh from his time at nearby Walsall – sliding on his knees towards the home stands and sticking his hands to his ears.
Lowe thought he’d added a second after the break when he launched himself to a get a boot on the end of a super dinked cross from Burger. Lowe cushioned the ball past keeper Alex Palmer but couldn’t quite give it the power needed to evade covering defenders.
But Stoke were pushed further back as West Brom chased an equaliser. Torbjorn Heggem headed over following good skill and cross from Johnston and Fellows lashed a shot narrowly over when well placed while Alex Mowatt sliced a shot wide but pressure told when Diangana levelled with 20 minutes remaining. Johnston bought himself just enough space on the Albion left to dig out an excellent cross that Diangana raced across goal to touch in at the near post.
Stoke players looked gutted at full-time that they weren’t going home with all three points but they were applauded and serenaded by an away end which appreciated their efforts and a good point to take into three big games coming up.
Here are the player ratings from the Hawthorns:
Johansson: Good presence in his penalty area and shows leadership too. Strong save to stop Molumby just after Albion equaliser. 7
Tchamadeu: Brave run inside to start the move that led to opening goal. Battle with Johnston on the Stoke right. 7
Stevens: Such a welcome return to defence, especially against a winger like Fellows. A key part of Stoke’s opening goal too as he supported Koumas. 7.5
Phillips: Glimpses of an excellent defender. Massive, quick enough across the ground and can read the game well. 7
Wilmot: Enjoying his partnership with Phillips and willing to get stuck in. Couldn’t keep hold of Diangana for equaliser. 6.5
Seko: Took a lashing from Burger for positioning at one stage in first half and one dangerous mis-hit in second half. But put himself about off the ball and always on for a pass. 6
Burger: Pushed further forward to support Lowe and can play a useful pass into dangerous areas, like cross at start of second half for Lowe. 6
Baker: Useful experience at times, just knowing how to win a free-kick and triggering press, and a can make a difference with a decent set piece. 6.5
Moran: Having to put in a shift in unfamiliar outside right role. Comes alive in moments and covers a lot of ground without being able to worry Albion as much as he would like. 6
Koumas: Started on a mission and has ability to run length of pitch on the counter-attack. Helped to make goal for Lowe with direct running. Quieter second half. 7
Lowe: Perfect start and a confident striker’s instinct to steer ball into corner. Almost got second with cushioned touch at start of second half. Competed hard. 7.5
Substitutes
Ennis (for Lowe, 84): Put himself about through the closing stages. 6.5
Junho (for Burger, 84): Fresh legs on the right wing to help Stoke break up the pitch. 6
Not used: Bonham, Rose, Vidigal, Lawal, Tezgel, Willox, Griffiths.
Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight) 4
