Carlos Corberan says a positive start for his side has been important as West Brom picked up their second successive away win of the season after a 2-1 win against Stoke.
Goals from Karlan Grant and Josh Maja – either side of a equaliser from Lewis Koumas – ensured they would be travelling back down the M6 with all three points.
Corberan was full of praise for his team’s performance after collecting seven points from a possible nine for last season’s play-off Sky Bet Championship semi-finalists.
“I think our start has been positive, for me at this point in the season it is very important, not in terms of the points that you get – although we always want to get points – not in the results or the points that they other teams have, but the performance,” Corberan said.
“We have a new squad, we have had a lot of changes and for me it is important that we get the steps right in beginning and build on the identity of this squad.
“I am really pleased for the players because they have put a lot of effort in today, of course, all of the credit goes to them.
“For me, they had to manage difficult moments in the game, after nearly scoring a goal at one end of the pitch, Stoke then showed the quality they have in the final part of the pitch, so the players kept the belief and showed the ideal reaction (when retaking the lead two minutes later).
“The team performed better in the second half than they did in the first, I liked the personality of the team as you saw in the last five minutes of the game.
“We were still trying to play football and keep attacking in that moment.”
Stoke manager Steven Schumacher expressed his disappointment in the result, claiming that on another day it could easily have been his side walking away with the victory.
However, there were positives in the loss for the former Plymouth boss, lauding striker Lewis Koumas after he netted and struck the post twice on his home debut.
Schumacher said: “On another day, he gets a hat-trick and takes home the match ball – but that is how close it is in this league. Those are the small margins and they are what determine the outcome of these type of games.
“Lewis was great, he played as a single number nine which he has done a few times but it is not his natural position, he looked really sharp for us.
“He caused their two centre-backs problems, they must have about 1,000 games in the Championship between them.
“It was his first start and you can’t expect too much from him, but what we did see from him was definitely positive.
“I am disappointed with the result, it is a little bit harsh on us and I think we deserved something on the basis of how we played the game.
“It was a tough game, as we expected, against a team that finished inside the top six last season and who will be really strong again this year.
“I thought it was really a hard fought, closely matched, not a lot in it and we came away with nothing, on another day we could have come away with all three points.”
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
Lewandowski rules out Poland return under coach ProbierzBarcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has announced that he will no longer play for Poland as long as Michal Probierz remains head coach. The 36-year-old, who has earned 158 caps and scored 85 goals, was recently replaced as captain by Piotr Zielinski.0"Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to r...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 9 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker
- 10 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal