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Darren Moore praises West Brom's resilience after first 1-0 league win of the season

Darren Moore was pleased with his side's resilience away at Stoke City that earned the Baggies their first 1-0 league win of the season.

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Darren Moore gave the performance a thumbs-up. (AMA)

Dwight Gayle struck in the 25th minute of the game, rounding off a well-worked free-kick routine to score his third goal against the Potters this season.

After throwing away leads in two games in the last week, the Baggies then ground out an important victory in the second half to move back up to fourth in the Championship.

Moore was pleased with the victory, because he believes Stoke are improving under new boss Nathan Jones, despite their poor form, and says the Potters are already a better team now than when they beat Leeds in mid-January.

"We showed a bit of resilience off the ball as a group and as a team," said Moore. "They put us under pressure, but the players positioned themselves well to deal with it.

"We used the ball well in transition and took the sting out of the game.

"I can see the work Nathan is doing with them, they're getting better, so I'm really pleased to come away with the three points because that was a tough game.

"This Stoke team is very different to where they were at three weeks ago. There won't be many coming here now and winning.

"I certainly feel they're a different team even to when they won against Leeds - they've gone up another level.

"They're only ever going to get better. They're a good team, the rotation they showed at times was excellent.

"Every single one of our players off the ball had to bring their A game today and they did.

"They had to show good concentration levels. I thought they did that as a group."

Moore handed full debuts to Stefan Johansen and Jacob Murphy, before bringing on Jefferson Montero for his first appearance in Albion colours.

Johansen was cheered off the pitch by the 2,800 travelling fans and threw his shirt into the away end.

"Hopefully tonight all those connected here to West Brom would have seen why they brought those players in," said Moore.

"Stefan is a different type of midfield player to what we've got. Murphy's a wonderful outlet for us, he has tremendous speed and ability.

"Jefferson has the ability to isolate players for us in one v one situations, I thought all three of them contributed.

"I dont want to single them out though. It was a team performance."

Jake Livemore started his first league game since he was sent off for the second time this season on New Year's Day.

He caught Sam Vokes on the ankle in the first half with a challenge that went over the ball, but went unpunished.

"I've not seen it back," said Moore. "Sometimes in the split moment you try and make an honest attempt of the ball.

"I'll need to scrutinise it, it was a hotly contested game out there.

"Things happen in a blink of an eye, we're pleased nothing did come of it, he's an important player for us.

"It's tough in this division, but that's our sixth win out of the last seven away from home. It's very good for us."