Stoke made it four wins in succession as they beat West Brom and overtook the Midlands side in the process. Danny Higginbotham scored the vital goal as he netted the winner with a first-half penalty after Martin Albrechtsen brought down Darel Russell.
Mamady Sidibe had earlier had a goal ruled out after Vincent Pericard was ruled offside in the build-up.
West Brom pressed for an equaliser but their efforts proved in vain against a Stoke side who always looked dangerous.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis:
"It's a great three points and it was a smashing atmosphere and I'm delighted with the win. "The only criticism I have is we sometimes didn't seem to have anyone on the end of things.
"Especially in the second half when another goal would have put us in a comfortable position."
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray:
"It's a massive disappointment. We lost it in the first 45 minutes - we never forced the game. � "The performance in the first half was unacceptable. I have told the players that and they know they were lacking certain qualities. �
"It's hard to put your finger on why the two performances can be so different just a week apart."
Stoke: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin, Lawrence, Russell, Diao, Hendrie (Hill 90), Sidibe, Pericard (Berger 67).
Subs Not Used: Bangoura, Sweeney, Buxton.
Goals: Higginbotham 40 pen.
West Brom: Hoult, Albrechtsen (Gera 63), Perry, Davies, Robinson, Koumas, Carter, Quashie, Greening, Phillips, Kamara (Ellington 77).
Subs Not Used: Steele, Watson, McShane.
Booked: Phillips, Greening.
Att: 18,282
Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).
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