There were chants for Dwight Gayle and Saido Berahino - but for very different reasons - as West Bromwich Albion beat Stoke City 2-1.
The Hawthorns faithful saluted Dwight Gayle as the Newcastle United hit a winning double to put Albion in control.
And there was a series of taunts at fallen hero Berahino who was booed off early in the second-half on an anonymous return to his former club.
Gayle opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a sublime piece of centre forward play in front of a jubilant Smethwick End.
Latching onto a neat pass by Kieran Gibbs, Gayle past Martins Indi, took a touch to leave Jack Butland on his backside and rolled the ball into the net.
It was Gayle again who gave Baggies the breathing space their dominant display deserved with a second goal on 59 minutes.
Jake Livermore found him with a raking pass down the right flank, and the striker killed it with a tidy first touch before smashing it inside Butland's near post.
Stoke looked far from convincing, but were almost gifted a way back into the game when Livermore cleared the ball with his arm and referee Simon Hooper awarded a penalty.
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Former Wolves striker Benik Afobe, on as a substitute, blew his chance, though, directing his spot-kick against the top of the crossbar and over.
The Potters did get the ball in the net when Erik Pieters smashed a shot into the top corner deep into stoppage time, but it proved to be no more than a consolation goal and rightly so as the Baggies thoroughly deserved this victory.
ALBION (3-5-2)
Johnstone 7
Given a scare when McClean charged down his clearance. Generally stood up well to Stoke's aerial threat after a couple of unsure moments. Made a good save to deny Martins Indi.
Dawson 7.5
Helped keep Peter Crouch quiet on his return to Albion's Championship XI. Provided an aerial threat from corners and free-kicks. The prodigal defender's contribution was appreciated by the fans.
Hegazi 7
Lives dangerously at times and looked shaky on a couple of occasions when Stoke pressured him, but strong in the air and threw himself at everything that came his way.
Bartley 7.5
Got his bandaged head to everything after another bash to the bonce. Crouch and Saido Berahino got very little change out of the Baggies defence. Booked for bundling the ball into the net with his hand.
Phillips 7.5
Seems to be thriving in this system. His deliveries were good and he has the energy and discipline to get up and down the right flank.
Livermore 8
Don’t miss
The only blight on a very controlled midfield performance was the handball for the penalty. Other than that it was a very controlled display. Sprayed some great passes including the assist for the second goal.
Brunt 7
Helped Livermore nullify the Stoke midfield. Came close with a shot well saved. Whenever Stoke's attackers tried to drop into pockets of space, Brunt and Livermore closed the gaps.
Barnes 8
Stoke resorted to fouling him to stop him, not necessarily maliciously, more because they struggled to keep up with his speed of thought and deed. Came close to scoring a couple of times.
Gibbs 7.5
Another who is suited to the wing-back system. Set up the first goal and seemed to effortlessly made the transition from defence to attack, whenever he was required.
Rodriguez 7
Didn't quite go for him in front of goal with a series of half chances. But his work ethic for the team was summed up when he was tracking back to the edge of his box in closing stages of the game.
Gayle 9
A class act. His finishing was clinical sublime - and the spin and quick feet for his first goal is worth watching over and over again. Only an injury prevented him chasing a hat-trick.
SUBS
Robson Kanu (for Gayle 72) - 6.5
Put himself about and was a willing runner to give Albion an outlet as Stoke pushed on in vain.
Barry (for Barnes 86) N/A
Subs not used: Subs: Myhill, Burke, Leko, Adarabioyo, Field.
All you need to know about West Brom now
OPPOSITION
STOKE: Butland, Martina, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Diouf (Afobe 64), Etebo (Bojan 81), Allen, McClean, Berahino (Woods 54), Crouch.
Subs not used: Federici, Williams, Fletcher, Edwards.
GOALS: Albion - Gayle (16, 59), Stoke - Pieters (90).
REFEREE: Simon Hooper.
Attendance: 25,183 (2,714)
Next up: Birmingham City (a) - Championship, 7.45pm, Friday, September 14.