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.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
