Stoke City boss Tony Pulis paid tribute to chairman Peter Coates after their win at West Ham United.

Pulis is grateful he is allowed to get on with his job without interference from Coates.

He said: "I've been very, very fortunate. Peter is an exceptional chairman in lots of respects, but he's been at his best, and I mean this, when things aren't going well. As a manager, this is when (you need) a bit of tender loving care."