West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Stoke City: Draw lifts Baggies out of drop zone

After a scrappy opening period, in which both sides struggled to maintain possession in wintry conditions, Baggies captain Jed Wallace produced the first meaningful effort on goal shortly after the half-hour mark when he carried the ball to the edge of the Stoke penalty area, but his effort trickled past Tommy Simkin’s far post.

The Potters, who are slowly gathering personnel in the midst of an injury crisis in recent weeks, did work Max O’Leary in the home goal before the break, but efforts from Bosun Lawal and Sorba Thomas were comfortably held.

And it was West Brom who came closest in the opening 45 minutes when Jimoh-Aloba – who was sold by the club to Villa for £1m in the summer of 2023 – burst forwards and let fly, which forced Simkin to react quickly and tip the attacker’s strike over the bar.

Stoke did threaten to break the deadlock just after the hour mark. Debutant Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who joined the club on loan at the end of the winter transfer window from Crystal Palace, spread the ball to Aaron Cresswell, and he picked out Lawal at the back post, but the Irish defender miscued his shot when well placed.

Ramsay rolled the dice when throwing on attackers Mikey Johnston, Aune Heggebo and Josh Maja on the hour, but it was a visiting substitute who almost snatched a late winner when winger Million Manhoef gave Callum Styles the slip and stung O’Leary’s gloves.

For the home side, who visit neighbours Birmingham City on Tuesday night, it was a rare clean sheet, although they are now without a win in their past seven league matches. Stoke, who visit Charlton Athletic on Wednesday, are 13th, nestled in the congested pack who sit within reach of the top six.