West Brom 1 Stoke 1 - Six talking points

Gareth Barry silences the doubters

Eyebrows were raised when Tony Pulis bought the 36-year-old from Everton, particularly after he said he wanted to lower the average age of the squad.

Those who travelled to Turf Moor to see his debut were won round with a supreme second-half performance, but Sunday's game was the first time the majority of fans saw him in the flesh. And boy was he good.

Man of the match, the veteran midfielder reads the game like a book, is tenacious in the tackle, and then equally composed on the ball. He's been a class act so far.

Ahmed Hegazi should still be trusted

The big Egyptian barely put a step wrong in the opening three games of the season but his mix-up with Ben Foster allowed Peter Crouch to score the equaliser here.

"These things happen," said Pulis, afterwards, suggesting he is more than happy with Hegazi so far, as he should be.

The Nesta of the Pyramids has been a man mountain up until now, and one mistake shouldn't dent his burgeoning reputation.

Good things come to those who wait

Although Tony Pulis takes his time over purchases, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Three out of the four summer additions have seriously impressed so far.

Jay Rodriguez has added a threat from open play, Barry looks a cut above, and Hegazi has been a superb find.

The fourth, Oliver Burke, has not yet had enough time on the pitch to prove what he can do.

Pulis may chase players for several months, and he may renege on deals at the last minute, but he should be trusted in the window.

Winning ugly is encouraging

If truth be told, Albion were dreadful for an hour in both this game and the Burnley game and it took goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and Rodriguez to spark them into life.

But the Baggies have picked up seven points from a possible nine.

They know they can play better, like in the first half against Bournemouth, but winning points while playing poorly is not a bad habit to have.

Allan Nyom more comfortable at right-back

Last season, the likeable full-back had to do a job at left-back most of the time while Craig Dawson played at right-back.

He impressed fans with his unorthodox but enjoyable style.

However, he's looked much more comfortable on his preferred flank this season.

Not only did he outplay the dangerous Jese on Sunday, he whipped in the cross for Rodriguez's goal.

Mark Hughes just can't let it go - as Pulis has last laugh (again)

Both managers claimed to have buried the hatchet before the match, and there were handshakes before and after the game, which is more than there's been in recent years.

But in his post-match press conference Hughes was quick to mount his high horse by suggesting Albion dragged the game down to a level unbefitting his lovely Stoke team and he even claimed the grass was left long on purpose.

Pulis's response to Hughes's superiority complex? A shrug of the shoulders and "still unbeaten".

Albion's head coach has won five and drawn two of his seven meetings with Hughes since his fellow Welshman replaced him as Potters boss.