Stoke City penalty shoot-out victory!

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The Potters squeezed past Blackpool 5-4 on penalties after a ponderous 0-0 draw was dragged out at the bet365. Steven Fletcher at least looked lively in his first (albeit substitute) appearance, but all people will remember will be that Stoke won (thanks to ‘Pool missing 3 penalties to Stoke’s 2 misses). Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:

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Charlie Adam is saddened he can’t be at the bet365 for this tie. Whom would he support? Michael O’Neill claims that he’s locked the players in at the training ground so they don’t lose the momentum of last season that ended only 38 days ago. As such Afobe replacing injured Vokes & Clucas returning for Cousins are the only changes, although Steven Fletcher & Morgan Fox make the bench along with Blondy. (Where is Jack??? Still locked in at the training ground??)

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23.05 Lee Gregory, who’s supposed to be Afobe’s mate up front, concedes a free kick in the centre circle. Has he even been introduced to Benik, as he’s miles away from him? Nick Powell healthily blows his nose on his shirt. Charming.

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26.18 Just as I say that, Afobe crosses & Gregory almost connects…although a defender does a better job & almost concedes an own goal.

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35.32 Blackpool whip a cross in that’s headed over. Bit short of action for a £10 streamed game…just saying…

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36.50 Just as I say that (again) BMI almost deflects a Davies save into his own goal. Stoke have let Blackpool back into this game. Fox will surely replace Martins Indi at half-time.

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40.04 McClean drives a clear chance past the left hand post. Afobe had done all the work, so Is unimpressed that James is 2 yards wide. Benik knows Fletcher is on the bench…but will he replace Gregory or Afobe? Both probably.

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45+1 HT Stoke 0 Blackpool 0 Supporters 0 Action 0

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52.45 Clucas breaks down the left, but the cross is cleared. Why no subs? There’ll be no extra time – it goes straight to penalties at 90 minutes.

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60.48 Great cross by Gregory, followed by Clucas corner headed over by Batth.

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62.05 Great interception by Bruno as the ball flashes across Stoke’s box, his main contribution of the day.

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62.50 Fletcher on for Afobe and Campbell on for Gregory. Not sure about Fletch’s headband…but it’s Powell who charges through the defence, only for the ball to spay wide. Campbell & Fletcher on paper looks like a secret weapon! We’ll see…

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65.55 Chester reminds us he’s still here by heading a clear chance over the bar whilst unmarked. This is pre-season fare.

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69.55 Clucas is floored in the box…followed quickly by McClean! But the ref is unmoved! Fletcher is everywhere, haven’t seen so much of Campbell.

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73.45 I’m sure I can hear booing as Powell is replaced by Tash O-B.

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86.04 There are 3 other games today, all with 4 or more goals in them. This shows no sign of any. I’m not confident about the penalties going in for that matter.

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90+3 FT 0-0, and frankly we’ve been put out of our misery. Penalties will be bliss after this….

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McClean’s penalty is saved!!

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Davies saves! 0-0 still.

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Campbell scores 1-0

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Davies beaten 1-1

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Clucas squeezes one in to the right corner.

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Davies saves!! 2-1

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Thompson’s is saved as he shoots to the left

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Davies beaten going the wrong way 2-2

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Fletcher scores to his left corner 3-2

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Davies goes wrong way 3-3

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Martins Indi sends keeper the wrong way 4-3

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Davies goes wrong way 4-4

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Oakley-Booth sends keeper wrong way too 5-4

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Blackpool’s Ollie Turton misses! Stoke go through 5-4!!

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Thank goodness for that!