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Charlie Adam and Stoke City prosper as West Brom prepare for Pepe Mel exit Charlie Adam and Stoke City prosper as West Brom prepare for Pepe Mel exit
(35 minutes later)
Charlie Adam's late strike helped Stoke City clinch their highest Premier League points total and victory over West Brom in what may be Pepe Mel's final game as head coach at the Hawthorns. Charlie Adam's late strike helped Stoke City clinch their highest Premier League points total and victory over West Bromwich Albion in what may be Pepe Mel's final game as head coach at The Hawthorns.
Stoke improved on their best tally of 47, set in 2010, by three points to finish a Premier League highest position of ninth in Mark Hughes' first season in charge of the Potters. Stoke improved on their best tally of 47, set in 2010, by three points to finish a Premier League highest position of ninth in Mark Hughes's first season in charge.
Adam scored the decisive goal three minutes from time after Stéphane Sessègnon had earlier got West Brom back on level terms following Gareth McAuley's own goal. Mel, meanwhile, is set for talks with West Brom this week and all indications are that he will part company with the club, who are set to exercise a break clause in the Spaniard's 18-month contract. Certainly the 51-year-old Spaniard's programme notes carried the tone of someone who does not expect to be with the club in the summer. Adam scored the decisive goal three minutes from time after Stéphane Sessègnon had earlier got West Brom back on level terms following Gareth McAuley's own goal. Mel, meanwhile, is set for talks with the board this week and all indications are that he will part company with the club, who are set to exercise a break clause in the Spaniard's 18-month contract. Certainly the 51-year-old Spaniard's programme notes carried the tone of someone who does not expect to be with the club in the summer.
Albion showed the early endeavour and Saido Berahino struck the crossbar from a corner before the visitors took control of the first half. Stoke should have been ahead as early as the 11th minute when Geoff Cameron's cross picked out Jonathan Walters, who could only head wide with just Ben Foster to beat.Albion showed the early endeavour and Saido Berahino struck the crossbar from a corner before the visitors took control of the first half. Stoke should have been ahead as early as the 11th minute when Geoff Cameron's cross picked out Jonathan Walters, who could only head wide with just Ben Foster to beat.
Hughes' side continued to play the intricate passing football and eventually got a deserved lead when McAuley put through his own net. Marko Arnautović escaped down the left flank past Craig Dawson and his low cross deflected off the boot of the unfortunate McAuley and past Foster. Hughes's side continued to play the intricate passing football and eventually got a deserved lead when McAuley put through his own net. Marko Arnautovic escaped down the left flank past Craig Dawson and his low cross deflected off the boot of the unfortunate McAuley and past Foster.
The visitors included former West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie, whose troubles at Albion were still very much fresh in the memories of the home fans who booed him through the entire game. Predictably, Odemwingie was at the centre of a flashpoint just before half-time after a late tackle from McAuley on the Nigeria striker. Tensions rose between the two sets of players before Lee Probert, the referee, stepped in to calm matters. The visitors included the former West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie, whose troubles at Albion were still very much fresh in the memories of the home fans who booed him through the entire game. Predictably, Odemwingie was at the centre of a flashpoint just before half-time after a late tackle from McAuley on the Nigeria striker. Tensions rose between the two sets of players before Lee Probert, the referee, stepped in to calm matters.
Mel's side played with more intent after the interval and soon got themselves back on level terms through Sessègnon, who timed his run to perfection to slide the ball home after Craig Dawson had crossed from the right. Arnautović, who played with confidence throughout, struck the post moments after the goal with a curling effort. Mel's side played with more intent after the interval and soon got themselves back on level terms through Sessègnon, who timed his run to perfection to slide the ball home after Dawson had crossed from the right. Arnautovic, who played with confidence throughout, struck the post moments after the goal with a curling effort.
Youssouf Mulumbu also hit the woodwork at the other end as the contest became more open, but it was Stoke who were to collect the points with a goal from Adam just six minutes after he had come on as a substitute. The Scotland midfielder arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner of the net after West Brom's defenders allowed him time and space to shoot from distance.Youssouf Mulumbu also hit the woodwork at the other end as the contest became more open, but it was Stoke who were to collect the points with a goal from Adam just six minutes after he had come on as a substitute. The Scotland midfielder arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner of the net after West Brom's defenders allowed him time and space to shoot from distance.