The Tony Pulis derby.
When people think of “Super Sunday” in the Premier League, West Brom versus Stoke City isn’t exactly the first fixture that springs to mind. They are two good sides, who have enjoyed encouraging starts to the season, and it shouldn’t just be the so-called “big clubs” on TV each week.
But the Tony Pulis derby isn’t exactly one for the purists. When given a choice to watch West Brom take on Stoke, or Chelsea hosting Everton, most neutrals would opt for the latter.
In the same fixture last season, the Baggies beat Stoke 1-0 at the Hawthorns. When Chelsea played Everton at Stamford Bride last season, Antonio Conte’s side won 5-0 on their way to claiming the league title.
However, rather than Chelsea versus Everton, Sky Sports viewers were treated to Stoke against West Brom in Sunday’s early kick-off. Because of Everton’s involvement in the Europa League last Thursday, and the upcoming international break, the fixture had to be played on Sunday.
Games rescheduled due to a team’s involvement in the Europa League are rarely televised, which may explain why Sky opted not to televise Chelsea’s fixture.
Yet, an awful lot of people weren’t happy about it.
After checking at least 18 times, we can confirm that Sky really have decided to screen West Brom v Stoke instead of Chelsea v Everton
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) August 27, 2017
Really looking forward to Chelsea vs. Evert….. oh FFS it's West Brom v Stoke that's live on Sky!
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) August 27, 2017
A big well done to the guys at Sky Sports for scheduling West Brom vs Stoke on Super Sunday instead of Chelsea vs Everton… pic.twitter.com/XrvazCWdSl
— 888sport (@888sport) August 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/RABMC97/status/901773619889676289
So the league champions game isn't on sky sports, yet Stoke vs West Brom is? Someone explain this please. 😡
— Roshni. (@r0shni_cfc) August 27, 2017
Is Chelsea v Everton on the radio anywhere? Can't find it. BBC has F1 & cricket, Talksport has cricket & West Brom Stoke which is on Sky! 😖
— Bianca Westwood (@beewestwood) August 27, 2017
I know the big clubs always get featured on TV but why did Sky Sports choose to show West Brom v Stoke over Chelsea v Everton?
— Steve (@Nintendoubt815) August 27, 2017
