Not a picture perfect night for apologetic Hodgson

WEST BROM boss Roy Hodgson has apologised to Stoke after a picture was broken in the players’ tunnel after the sides’ 1-1 draw last night.

Hodgson admitted a Baggies player — named by Potters manager Tony Pulis as Jonas Olsson— had smashed the picture after a frantic finish to a modest Barclays Premier League match.

Substitute Carlos Vela equalised from a seemingly offside position in the 87th-minute after Rory Delap’s opener and had a glorious chance to win the game deep in stoppage-time.

Referring to the incident Hodgson said: “One of our players has unfortunately decided to test his strength by having a little fight with a picture.

“I’m afraid he won and the picture was broken which is disappointing,

“We apologised and I’m sure we’ll pay for the picture. I’m sure Stoke won’t be too bothered but it takes the gloss off when I’m discussing pretty meaningless incidents and we’ve worked as hard has we have.

“I’m pretty sure Stoke know what an emotional game it is and won’t hold it against us.”

Pulis also had his say but said he would allow his counterpart to deal with the matter.

“The lad Olsson has smashed a picture, I don’t know why he’s done it. It’s very disappointing having something on the wall (broken) that is a memento of this football club.

“I’m sure Roy will deal with it, it’s his club and I’m sure he’ll deal with it.”

It appeared West Brom had undone all their hard work in hanging on in the early stages by switching off at a crucial time to allow Delap put stoke ahead.

But in a spirited climax Roy Hodgson’s side proved they have the appetite and spirit for a relegation fight and in truth they could have snatched the win as it was Stoke hanging on at the end.

Hodgson is still awaiting his first victory after taking two points from his first two matches since succeeding Roberto Di Matteo.

The criticism of the Italian was that his style was too open — Hodgson inherited the worst defensive record in the top flight — but old habits die hard and there remains plenty of work to be done if the Baggies are to survive with 10 matches remaining.

Stoke started the better and Jermaine Pennant forced a decent save from Scott Carson. The winger proved to be Stoke’s main threat — Delap’s long throw apart — in the first half.

But the closest he came to breaking the deadlock was just before the interval when he curled a free-kick on to the top of the angle of post and crossbar.

West Brom may have the top flight’s leakiest defence but they regularly pose a threat in the final third.

Graham Dorrans and Fortune both tested Asmir Begovic with shots from the left and right of the penalty area respectively while Paul Scharner should have at least done the same just before the interval but bobbled a 16-yard volley wide.

There was little quality on show in the first half and after the interval glitches even crept into Delap’s reliable delivery, with the midfielder throwing one effort straight out for a goal-kick.

Fortunately his close-range radar was unaffected and it was he who finally rose above the mediocrity — and Dorrans — to head home Pennant’s 53rd-minute corner from three yards.

The goal finally injected some life into the game, with Brunt (twice) and Stoke’s Jon Walters both worrying their opposing goalkeepers with shots from distance.

Begovic was the busier of the two goalkeepers, saving Dorrans’ header with his legs after it deflected wickedly off Ryan Shawcross while watching helplessly as Fortune’s looping header dropped onto the crossbar and over.

West Brom pressed for an equaliser and had a stroke of luck three minutes from time with their equaliser.

Reid swung in a right-wing cross and substitute Vela poked the ball past Begovic from close range despite appearing to have benefited from coming back from an offside position.

There was still enough time for Begovic to be required to make three crucial saves as West Brom sensed a late shock.

Vela proved you cannot write off West Brom with the chances they create but if they are to achieve top-flight survival it is the other end of the pitch they have to work on.

STOKE: Begovic, Wilson, Huth, Shawcross, Pugh, Pennant (Whelan 78), Whitehead, Delap, Walters, Jones (Fuller 83), Carew (Etherington 65).

WEST BROM: Carson, Reid, Meite, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Scharner, Dorrans, Mulumbu (Tchoyi 73), Thomas (Vela 82), Fortune (Odemwingie 73).

Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).