Stoke boss Mark Hughes fears West Brom were behind Saido Berahino drug ban leak
- James Morrison scored the only goal as West Brom beat Stoke on Saturday
- Saido Berahino was subjected to boos and chants on his return to the Hawthorns
- Mark Hughes and Tony Pulis have not seen eye to eye over the striker's drug ban
- Hughes has criticised Pulis for failing to offer a handshake after the final whistle
The animosity in the stands as Saido Berahino made his Hawthorns return spread to the dugout as Mark Hughes criticised Tony Pulis for a failure to offer a handshake and suggested West Bromwich Albion played a part in leaking details of the drug ban served by Stoke's new £12million on the eve of this encounter.
Berahino was subjected to vicious boos and chants from before kick-off and when sent on as a 58th minute substitute only touched the ball four times.
James Morrison's early goal gave West Brom a sixth home win in seven Premier League games to solidify the club's status as the best of the rest outside the top-flight's European challengers and defeat did little to sweeten Hughes' mood.
Mark Hughes criticised Tony Pulis for a failure to offer a handshake on Saturday afternoon
Former West Brom striker Saido Berahino made his first return to the Hawthorns with Stoke
The Stoke manager was clearly livid Sportsmail this week revealed news of Berahino's suspension earlier this season for testing positive to a recreational drug and he was nonplussed at a perceived snub by Pulis.
'We knew at some point it would come out but from our point of view it was disappointing,' Hughes said.
'West Brom were able keep the issue discreetly under wraps for six, seven weeks but lo and behold, two days before game all of a sudden it comes out. People would suggest maybe West Brom had something to do with that. That would be unfair wouldn't it? I'm not saying that, but you can interpret it like that.'
James Morrison scored the only goal as West Brom claimed a well-earned win on home turf
West Brom sources are adamant all actions were carried out above board and Stoke were full briefed before money changed hands.
Pulis shot straight down the tunnel as the final whistle sounded on a victory over his former club and Hughes added: 'I didn't see him to shake his hand. I was on pitch-side for quite some time at the end. He didn't shake my hand before game either, I would have thought being guest of the club he might have come over. But for some reason he didn't want to.'
To complete the ugliness of the episode, rival supporters separated by stewards traded blows in the Smethwick End after full-time, somewhat overshadowing what was at times a beautiful performance by West Brom.
Berahino was brought on as a second-half substitute but failed to have an impact on the game
Their decisive moment arrived on six minutes but could have won by more. It was a stylish counter-attacking goal, sparked when Gareth McAuley nipped possession of the toes of Joe Allen and fed Darren Fletcher.
The West Brom captain funnelled possession to Nacer Chadli and the Belgian teased Phil Bardsley before sliding a marvellous pass behind Glenn Whelan to the feet Morrison, who had timed his run just right. Morrison applied a neat left-foot finish into the far corner for his third goal in five games.
Lee Grant pulled off a fine save from Salomon Rondon and later from James McClean. Stoke hit the outside of the post through Ryan Shawcross and both Joe Allen and Erik Pieters might have done better from fine heading chances.
Baggies boss Tony Pulis shot straight down the tunnel as the final whistle sounded on Saturday
The only time Berahino came even close to placing his name in a positive context he was left frustrated at Julien Ngoy's inability to pick out a cross.
Hughes added: 'It was always going to be a difficult day for Saido.. But I thought it was important we included him and got him out there. He knew the reception he was going to get and he wasn't disappointed in that regard. He found it difficult to have an influence on the game. But that will come.'
Assistant Dave Kemp, speaking in place of Pulis, said: 'Our home form's been good and we're delighted to keep that run going.'
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