Stoke manager Tony Pulis was pleased his side were able to hold on for a 2-1 victory against West Ham.

James Beattie scored his first two goals of the season to end a run of four matches without a win.

Beattie confidently fired home an 11th-minute penalty and then out-muscled Julien Faubert to force home the rebound from Ricardo Fuller's shot 20 minutes from time. West Ham equalised in the 34th minute through Matthew Upson's header but struggled to create much after that.

"I think that is most probably West Ham's strongest team this season - apart from Scott Parker (who was suspended) - and they have some good players," said Pulis.

"They finished ninth last season and they didn't do that by being mugs so we knew it was going to be a tough game. They keep the ball very well and play in a way that they try to suck you out and then slide balls down the side.

"But I don't honestly think (goalkeeper) Thomas Sorensen had too much to do. The lads in front of him did fantastically, although we had to do a lot of chasing."