It was a cold, wet Saturday afternoon at The Hawthorns, but the action on the pitch between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City was anything but dreary—at least in terms of tension and stakes, if not goals. Supporters braved the elements hoping for a spark, as both teams had plenty riding on this all-Midlands Championship clash. In the end, however, neither side could find the breakthrough, and the match ended in a goalless draw that, while lacking in fireworks, delivered plenty of storylines for fans and pundits alike.
For West Bromwich Albion, the result was more than just a point—it was a lifeline. Having dropped into the relegation zone earlier in the week after survival rivals Blackburn Rovers secured a crucial win, Albion desperately needed something to lift them out of the bottom three. The draw, combined with results elsewhere, nudged them up to 20th in the table, just above the drop zone. That may not sound like much, but for a club with as much Championship experience as West Brom, it felt like a small step in the right direction.
Stoke City, meanwhile, might feel this was an opportunity missed. Sitting in 13th place and still within touching distance of the playoff spots, the Potters came into the match boasting the best defensive record in the division—just 28 goals conceded and a remarkable 12 clean sheets. Yet, as the final whistle blew, there was a nagging sense that two points had slipped through their fingers, especially given the chances they fashioned in a second half that saw them press for a winner.
The afternoon was notable for several personnel changes, particularly on the West Brom side. Newly appointed manager Eric Ramsay, still searching for his first win since taking over from Ryan Mason last month, shuffled his pack, handing a senior debut to Aston Villa loanee Jamal Jimoh-Aloba and giving USA international Daryl Dike a rare start up front. Ramsay’s search for a winning formula has been a rocky one so far—his side had shipped 12 goals in his first four games and had managed only one point from those fixtures. The pressure was mounting, and Ramsay admitted before the match, “I’ll have to have a long hard think about how I set up the team moving forward.”
Stoke City’s manager Mark Robins also rang the changes, introducing 23-year-old winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, a deadline day loan signing from Crystal Palace, straight into the starting XI. Robins’ lineup featured Tommy Simkin in goal, with a back four of Bosun Lawal, Aaron Cresswell, Ben Wilmot, and Ashley Phillips. The midfield trio of Ben Pearson, Tatsuki Seko, and Bae Junho provided a solid base, while Rak-Sakyi joined Sorba Thomas and Milan Smit in an attack that was designed to test Albion’s vulnerable defense.
The first half was, by most accounts, a scrappy affair. Both teams struggled to maintain possession in the wintry conditions, and clear-cut chances were few and far between. Albion captain Jed Wallace produced the first real moment of excitement just after the half-hour mark, carrying the ball to the edge of the Stoke penalty area before sending a low shot trickling just wide of Simkin’s far post. Moments later, debutant Jimoh-Aloba almost made himself an instant hero, bursting forward and unleashing a stinging drive that forced Simkin to tip the ball over the bar. It was a glimpse of the talent that persuaded Aston Villa to pay £1 million for him last summer.
Stoke, for their part, had their moments. Bosun Lawal and Sorba Thomas both tested Max O’Leary in the West Brom goal, but the experienced keeper was equal to the task. The Potters looked increasingly dangerous as the half wore on, with Rak-Sakyi showing flashes of the pace and trickery that made him a standout in Crystal Palace’s youth ranks. But as the teams headed to the dressing rooms, the scoreline remained stubbornly blank.
After the interval, the tempo picked up. Just after the hour mark, Rak-Sakyi spread the play to Aaron Cresswell, who delivered a teasing cross to the back post. Lawal arrived on cue but couldn’t keep his shot down—a golden opportunity gone begging. Ramsay responded by rolling the dice, introducing attackers Mikey Johnston, Aune Heggebo, and Josh Maja in a bid to find a late winner. Johnston, who has eight assists this season, was lively out wide, while Heggebo led the line with determination, despite his recent goal drought.
The closing stages saw both teams push for a decisive moment. Stoke substitute Million Manhoef nearly provided it, slipping past Callum Styles and unleashing a shot that stung O’Leary’s gloves. At the other end, West Brom pressed forward, but the Potters’ defense—so reliable all season—held firm, with Wilmot marshalling his back line superbly.
It wasn’t all frustration for the home fans. The clean sheet was a rare commodity for West Brom, who have struggled defensively in recent weeks, and the debutants showed promise. “We’re building something here, and the lads gave everything,” Ramsay said after the match. He knows, though, that time is running out to turn things around. The Baggies haven’t tasted victory in their last seven league games, and the specter of relegation looms large. Next up: a crucial trip to neighbors Birmingham City, where three points could be priceless.
For Stoke City, the draw keeps them in the thick of a congested mid-table pack. With the best defensive record in the Championship and a growing list of attacking options, Robins’ men remain well-positioned to mount a playoff challenge—provided they can find a bit more ruthlessness in front of goal. Their next test comes away at Charlton Athletic, a fixture that could prove pivotal in their quest for a top-six finish.
As the final whistle echoed around The Hawthorns, both sets of supporters were left pondering what might have been. For West Brom, the battle against the drop continues, but this hard-earned point might just be the start of something better. For Stoke, the wait for a statement win goes on, but their defensive solidity remains a foundation to build upon. The Championship season rolls on, and with so much still to play for, every point counts.