Against the odds Stoke are safe in the Championship, beating rampant Brentford! Before Christmas this looked near impossible. Here’s how it unfolded in real time:
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Nathan Jones can be delighted that he got a 0-0 at Griffin Park last September, but this is a different Brentford – EIGHT wins in a row and on the cusp of the Premier League, particularly after WBA flunking badly at Huddersfield. So, Stoke are unchanged…although Butland is back on the bench. Rubbernecking?
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3.25 Bruno Martins Indi gets a forearm-smash in the face in what could be his last home game for Stoke. It could make his eyes look even bigger than they already do. Nobody gets a card though…
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16.38 Brentford carve Stoke open with a dinky cross and a cheeky header, but it’s saved by Davies who spreads himself wide. Would Jack have…well, we’ll never know. But only a matter of time before Brentford break through…?
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29.30 Indi clearly wanting to swap shirts early, grabbing Pinnock’s in the box from a free kick. Thankfully, it’s not spotted.
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32.30 Michael O’Neill is probably the most animated person in the ground. Stoke containing Brentford, and that’s about it. A draw would suit both these teams, but…
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37.21 1-0 !!! Lee Gregory taps in, after the keeper Raya spills Clucas’ shot! Well, this isn’t in the story plot! Gregory looks dazed, but it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Replay hints that Gregory was offside, but the defender’s heel plays him on…probably.
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45+3 HT Stoke 1 Brentford 0, with possession 36-64%. Brentford bossing…but not winning!
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54.42 Vokes header from McClean’s cross goes a LONG way wide. Not good enough, for what might be his only chance.
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57.46 DaSilva’s snap shot is a foot wide. Manager so unimpressed that he’s substituted! Vokes beware!
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70.55 Campbell on for Vokes, with MON indicating for Tyrese to make himself a nuisance, something he’s very good at.
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74.00 Tyrese gets yellow carded immediately!! Kicking the ball away. Maybe too much of a nuisance.
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79.10 Emiliano blasts a free-kick over the bar and off towards Longton.
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82.00 Brentford finally starting to hem Stoke in, but then Campbell breaks, pushing over the defender as he does. Tyrese needs to be careful.
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87.20 Sorensen on for Gregory who looks shattered.
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90.00 FIVE MINUTES MORE!
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91.20 Canos’ cross from the right should have resulted in an equaliser… Still 1-0!
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92.50 McClean pushes over a player in the box, then scythes another on the halfway line! Yellow. But unbelievably when play restarts, it’s a drop-ball not a free kick.
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94.20 Collins on for Powell.
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95.12 Great save by Davies as the ball flashes across the box. Keeper Raya gets a head on the subsequent corner! Stoke defending desperately!
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96.50 Batth makes a diving header to stop a brilliant cross.
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FT Giant killers Stoke 1 Brentford giants 0 – What a fantastic result! Stoke stay in the Championship!
