Stoke City 4 West Brom 1

West Bromwich Albion's faint hopes of lifting the Division One title were extinguished at Stoke City on Tuesday evening.

The Baggies have the consolation of knowing they will be playing Premiership football next season, but a real howler from Russell Hoult contributed to their downfall at The Britannia Stadium and ended their hopes of catching Norwich City.

Scott Dobie had hauled The Baggies level after Darel Russell had put Stoke in front, but they were undone on 62 minutes by Hoult's error and Kris Commons' second and a header by Gifton Noel-Williams rubbed salt into the wounds.

West Brom's misery was compounded when Jason Koumas was shown a red card in the dying moments.

Stoke had little to play for other than pride, but they set about making life hard for West Brom and Russell's effort on the stroke of half time was reward for their efforts.

West Brom battled back bravely and, after Lee Hughes somehow failed to bundle home at the far post, they were level through Dobie's header from a corner.

Any thoughts West Brom had of winning the match were dealt a crushing blow when Hoult somehow let a speculative 35-yard free kick from Commons (pictured) squirm through his grasp when there appeared little danger.

Gary Megson's side chased the game and they were ruthlessly exposed 17 minutes from time when Commons slotted home from the edge of the box after finding himself in acres of space.

Stoke's superior desire brought a fourth goal when Commons crossed for Noel-Williams to head home unchallenged.