Stoke City 2 Albion 4

Roberto De Zerbi was in aim for the sky mode after Albion, for the 15th time in the last 17 years, cleared their first FA Cup hurdle.

He told two-goal Joao Pedro he could have done more had he been switched on for the full 90 minutes.

He was disappointed his side only ended up with four goals, feeling they should have added to their tally in the last ten minutes.

He spoke glowingly about six members of his XI at the Bet365 Stadium and said they could become great players.

He said his side deserved to play in the FA Cup final last season.

Okay, he admitted “maybe against City we lose” in that final.

But he spoke about pushing his squad hard in every competition, every training session, every friendly game.

There are times when Albion's head coach wants to get a few feet back on the ground but that tends to be when people take for granted what they are doing.

More than anything, though, ambitions for himself, his players and his club burns bright.

And the immediate future is certainly bright as the squad swap the dazzling chill of the Potteries for rather warmer sunshine

“We go to Dubai without new injuries and that is great news, as well as the victory,” De Zerbi said after this eventful win.

It was an upbeat manner in which to end a demanding series of matches and, of course, they did it in a challenging way.

Albion came from behind, gave a debut to another youngster Jack Hinchy and celebrated their win before more than 3,400 away fans who barely stopped singing, even when their side were 1-0 down.

De Zerbi’s “aim high” message was at its clearest when he spoke about Joao Pedro.

To say he only started playing in the second half would be harsh.

He was at the heart of Albion’s two most dangerous moments of a relatively tame first 45 minutes.

First when his shot, after fancy footwork, deflected through a narrow gap between the far post and Facundo Buonanotte.

And then, on the other side of the pitch, when brilliant skill and a precise cross led to Jakub Moder heading over.

But he was also the man who – wherever the blame lay – did not come short when Lewis Dunk expected him to as he played a pass out of defence.

That moment led to a low cross going in off Jan Paul van Hecke to give Stoke a lead their own fans could barely believe.

But, with the game balanced again at 2-2, Joao Pedro’s twisting header and sliding finish ended home resistance.

“I love Joao Pedro and I know his potential,” De Zerbi said at the end of his post-match press conference by way of explanation of his tough love approach.

“I know how he can become important for us.

“I would like always something more, something more.

“For us, this level of performance is enough.

“But I think he can reach a higher level, higher club.

“To reach that level, I think he can play better, he can push more and more.”

This was another notable afternoon for the record signing from Watford.

Two open play goals in the same match, taking him to 15 for the season.

But he has also played his part in helping Albion find answers without five wingers.

That said, there was not too much threat in the first half until well into six added minutes.

Then Pervis Estupinan unleashed a swerving shot past Stoke’s new keeper Daniel Iversen from the edge of the box.

Stoke had their best spell of the tie immediately after half-time.

But Pascal Gross chipped a precise cross on to the head of Dunk at the far post and it looked like the visitors would pull away.

A handball verdict against the unwitting Dunk put Stoke back in the match as Lewis Baker drilled home the penalty.

We had a proper contest with teams and fans fully engaged.

But Joao Pedro, set up superbly by first Gross, then van Hecke, was clinical.

The Brazil international said: “At the start we didn’t know how they would play. It was a very difficult match.

“They are a Championship team so we knew the game there is always more about contact.

“I think in the second half we found a way to play and came out as winners.

“I know the Championship, I knew it would be a physical game.

“The Championship is an aggressive league.

“No, we weren’t worried at 1-0 because we knew that, with our style of play, we always create chances.

“We kept doing that and we scored some goals.”