A Salomon Rondon goal just before the half-time whistle has given West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 lead in controversial circumstances against a Stoke City side with two players sent off.
The Potters dominated the game's early exchanges - Charlie Adam missed an early opportunity, before Mame Biram Diouf produced a headed effort straight at Boaz Myhill.
West Brom's first effort came on 24 minutes through James Morrison, who produced a powerful strike from distance to force a good save from Jack Butland.
Stoke were reduced to ten men a minute later, as Ibrahim Afellay was dismissed for pushing Craig Gardner in the face following a challenge.
The hosts continued to dominate possession despite the red card, but on 30 minutes, they were reduced to nine men when Adam was dismissed.
With a two-man advantage, West Brom began to take control of proceedings - substitute Rickie Lambert produced a decent effort to test Butland, before Craig Dawson fired an effort from long range straight at the Stoke keeper.
The Baggies took the lead in the third minute of added time through record signing Rondon, who headed past Butland from a right-wing cross.
Stephen Topping
