• January signing ensures fourth home win in row against Stoke • Ryan Shawcross happy to be back but not with 1-0 defeat

Tony Pulis praised Darren Fletcher’s growing influence at West Brom after they moved eight points above the Premier League relegation zone.

It was their fourth straight home win in all competitions and the West Brom manager believes the 31-year-old Fletcher, who joined from Manchester United in January, has been key to that success.

“He’s been a fantastic signing. He’s a tremendous lad, his enthusiasm and energy levels are top-class,” Pulis said. “He looks as sprightly as any 20-year-old. He and [James] Morrison dominated the midfield. They’ve played together for Scotland and a lot of good stuff came from those two.”

Brown Ideye scored his seventh goal of the season in the Baggies’ seventh game out of 13 under Pulis. “We looked a good team,” he said. “The one thing you have to do is make your home a fortress.

“The crowd was fantastic. The Stoke fans were good and our supporters rose to that and were fantastic.”

Ryan Shawcross returned for Stoke after a back injury which had kept him out since January. “The gaffer said the first goal was vital and then unfortunately they got it and held on for a deserved win,” Shawcross told the club’s official site.

“We didn’t show enough fight in the first 20 minutes and that’s where the game was won. Since Christmas the lads have been brilliant but sometimes you have to accept the better team won.

“The back is fine. It was hard work because I’ve had a month doing nothing but hopefully it can improve for the next couple of weeks.”

Man of the match Brown Ideye (WBA)