Roy Hodgson “supersized” his team to counter the Potteries air raid but saw his lofty selection undone by a Rory Delap header. The diminutive Carlos Vela demonstrated his “big” talent to come to Hodgson’s rescue, as the Baggies earned a point and were only denied all three by a miraculous late display by Asmir Begovic between the sticks. Here is the run-down on last night’s action from the Britannia…

With a record of only one away victory in his last 28 Premier League away days (thanks to my new ‘friend’ OptaJoe for that one), Roy Hodgson opted to shuffle his lineup to clear the way for some additional six footers, calling up all the giants in his armoury to combat Stoke’s aerial threat in an attempt to turnaround West Brom’s woeful dip in form. Steven Reid was recalled in place of the diminutive Gonzalo Jara at right-back, Joseph Mulumbu shored up the midfield, with Peter Odemwingie dropping to the bench. The forgotten Abdoulaye Meite was plucked from obscurity to replace Gabriel Tamas in defence, while Bo Myhill (is he short?) was benched for club captain Scott Carson in goal.

Stoke only made a single change from the side that lost at the Emirates last time out as Kenwyne Jones earned a recall to the starting lineup in place of Glenn Whelan – Jon Walters pushed back into midfield to accommodate the return of Jones. Matt Etherington was only fit enough for a place on the bench after being touch and go all week with back and hamstring problems persisting.

It was perhaps unsurprising, given the team selections, that a set-piece provided Stoke’s opener. Rory Delap, often the provider with his gargantuan throws, applied the header on the end of a Jermaine Pennant corner early in the second-half.

A fairly drab affair by all accounts sparked into life in the final minutes as late Baggies sub Carlos Vela transformed the visitors, combining with their two best players on the night – Graham Dorrans and Steven Reid. It was the latter in the 83rd minute who turned provider, crossing for the Arsenal loanee to level matters, quite possibly from an offside position. Vela got his second goal as a West Brom sub (his last 4 league goals have come from the bench), while Reid pick up an assist as well as full 3 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points for his efforts.

Asmir Begovic was a revelation in goal, saving Stoke from complete collapse late on. The Bosnian kept Pulis’ men on level terms as Stoke surrendered control to the visitors. The heroic saves in the dying minutes tallied up to not only reward him with 3 points for his 9 saves, but also caught the eye of the Bonus judge – Begovic ended the evening with a total of 7 points; a stark contrast to the paltry returns earned from the Stoke back four.

Stoke have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league in their last six matches – their last shut-out coming against Bolton back in gameweek 23. Things aren’t much better at the other end of the field; Delap’s goal was Stoke’s first strike in three matches – epitomising their current struggle.

Chris Brunt somewhat surprisingly picked up the final bonus point as well as his ninth yellow card of the season which sees him teeter precariously close to a two-match ban. Robert Huth was also in the book once again – his seventh card of the season.

Jermaine Pennant was withdrawn ten minutes from time with what appeared to be a hamstring injury – keep your eyes peeled on the Scout Tweets and Injuries and Bans for news on his availability ahead of the weekend.