Mame Biram Diouf's fortuitous double earned Stoke City a 2-0 Premier League win over struggling West Bromwich Albion at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.
The Senegalese striker got the benefit of two deflections to end his nine-game scoring drought and secure Stoke successive victories for the first time this season.
The three points take the Potters into the top half of the table, while Albion boss Alan Irvine finds himself under serious pressure following a seventh defeat in nine games which has left them one point above safety.
Below, Sports Mole rates and slates the players who were on show in Staffordshire.
STOKE
Goal
Asmir Begovic: A generally solid display from the Bosnian, who did well to hang on to a couple of long-range strikes. His one spill did present McAuley with a golden chance, but he got away with it. (7/10)
Defence
Geoff Cameron: The versatile American has returned to right-back for the past couple of games. While Sessegnon gave him some trouble, it never resulted in anything too threatening to Stoke. (6/10)
Ryan Shawcross: A true warrior in this Stoke team, the Potters skipper donned a bandage on his head to protect the scars sustained in the win over Everton. Solid as a rock. (7/10)
Marc Muniesa: Needs to be more aware defensively as he was too easily lost by the clever movement of Ideye. Preferred to Wilson because of his ability on the ball and showcased this by bringing out from the back well. (6/10)
Erik Pieters: Had wasted a couple of good crossing chances in the first half, but the Dutchman smartly picked out Diouf for the opening goal and did his defensive duties well. (7/10)
Midfield
Steven N'Zonzi: Such a physical specimen that he may be one of the few Premier League players able to manage this fixture congestion with comfort. A powerful runner, strong in the tackle and uses possession well. Any watching eyes would have been impressed by this display. (8/10)
Glenn Whelan: Supported N'Zonzi well in midfield and was always willing to have a go at goal. Saw a few shots blocked or saved and also tested Foster with a rare headed effort. Blot on the copybook: dived to try to win a first-half penalty. (7/10)
Marko Arnautovic: Hughes has been complimentary of Arnautovic's defensive work of late, and that was again on show. Did not have his shooting boots on this afternoon, though. (6/10)
Bojan: The Spaniard is getting better with each passing game. Demonstrated superb close control in tight areas and perfect vision and weight of pass in the build-up to both Stoke goals. (8/10)
Mame Biram Diouf: His confidence will be boosted by two goals after a nine-match drought, however fortunate the second of them was. Perhaps deserved his slice of luck for his energy and persistence. (8/10)
Attack
Peter Crouch: Stoke rarely hit the target man with aerial balls, so this was not Crouch's most effective game until he was hooked midway through the second half. (6/10)
Substitutes
Jonathan Walters: A bout of illness limited him to a place on the bench, and his performance was a bit off-colour when he came on. (5/10)
Charlie Adam: Was given just over 10 minutes as a replacement for Bojan, but Stoke were in cruise mode by then and he hardly had an opportunity to influence the game with that left foot of his. (6/10)
Marc Wilson: Looked comfortable when brought on in the defensive midfield role where he started his career. (6/10)
WEST BROM
Goal
Ben Foster: Having made some mistakes in the defeat to Man City, he would have been frustrated that it was a couple of deflections and not precise finishing which beat him today. (6/10)
Defence
Andre Wisdom: Did not do anywhere near enough to stop Pieters's cross for the opening goal and was wasteful when getting to the byline himself. (4/10)
Gareth McAuley: Negated the aerial threat of Crouch well and won his fair share of headers at the back post. However, his miss from six yards at 1-0 proved to be a crucial incident in the match. (6/10)
Joleon Lescott: Finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being in a relegation battle, and will need to use all of his experience to lead West Brom away from trouble. Solid today, took up some good positions. (7/10)
Chris Baird: The Irishman rarely lets anyone down, wherever he plays. Was asked to operate as a makeshift left-back and did so competently. Booked for a forceful tackle on Arnautovic. (6/10)
Midfield
Graham Dorrans: Passed a late fitness test to feature, but was far from his best on his return to the team. (5/10)
Chris Brunt: Another player back in the side following injury, the midfield stalwart helped West Brom have the better of the first half and briefly had Begovic worried with a 25-yard drive. (7/10)
James Morrison: Preferred to Mulumbu as Irvine went without a genuine holding player, Morrison was the deepest of Albion's midfielders and did not have as big an influence, although a long-range volley did force Begovic into a decent save. (6/10)
Craig Gardner: Provides the Baggies with great energy and a goal threat from midfield. Always pops up in good positions in the box and it was his contribution which led to the McAuley chance. (7/10)
Attack
Stephane Sessegnon: In many ways a typical Sessegnon performance. Tricky and lively on the ball, but a distinct lack of a final product. (6/10)
Brown Ideye: An improved showing from the club-record signing. Caused Stoke problems with his movement and running in behind, but his finishing is still short of confidence. (7/10)
Substitutes
Saido Berahino: Had an initial impact oFf the bench, but faded after Stoke's second goal. Why he is not starting in the first place is a mystery to many. (6/10)
Silvestre Varela: Came on at the same time as Berahino and provided the visitors with some fresh spark. Happy to run at players in dangerous areas, but could create nothing substantial today. (7/10)
Youssouf Mulumbu: Replaced Dorrans in the final stages, with Irvine having no more attacking options among his substitutes. (6/10)
