Stoke (0) 1 Swansea (0) 1 12/12/23 7.45
Stoke will feel robbed of 3 points, but it’s par for the course. A simple error marking the back post for a late corner (with the keeper flapping) cost Stoke dear after they’d taken the lead with a 70th minute penalty. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
A new dawn without Alex Neil. The crowd are up for it, and so it seems are the players. Paul Gallagher makes 5 changes, notably bringing in Junior Tchamadeu for Enda Stevens, and DJ Johnson for Leris. No real strikers though. Mmaee is aided by DJ & Laurent; Junior & Gooch are widemen, and 3 at the back (including Hoever). i think.
4.01 Bonham back from dramatic illness looks confident. Pearson looks competitive as hell, but Burger looks ready for his first yellow.
9.44 Josh Tymon hits a volley well over, just like he used to when he played for Stoke.
15.01 Mmaee tries to back-heel to DJ i n the area, but no luck. good to see Gallagher in the technical area.
15.51 Gooch breaks down the left, and hits a scorcher, well saved by keeper Rushworth.
19.01 Mmaee and Tchamadeu have two bites of the cherry, but keeper Rushworth too good for cherries.
30.40 Worst corner of the day from Stoke, straight behind the goal.
33.40 Hoever has another go at a corner, this time from the right side.
35.55 McNally heads clear under pressure, saving a certain goal.
37.55 Laurent gets a yellow card for just being too combative.
41.10 Burger taken out with a terrible tackle, but the player doesn’t even get a warning…yes, he does, Cabango a yellow…but also Gooch! Replay very damning on ref.
45 + 1 HT 0-0. No boos
58.05 Mmaee down in the area, but really!
60.53 Johnson brings out a save from Rushworth after great break & pass from Laurent.
63.30 Great chance for Swansea but crowded area thwarts them & Bonham gathers.
67.49 Penalty!!! Mmaee brought down. Gooch was also felled outside the box but ref waved it on, so he slotted it to Ryan who was toppled. Ref had to think about it though!!
69.20 1-0!!! DJ Johnson sends keeper the wrong way, creeping up to take the kick.
72.10 Junho on for DJ.
80.35 Thompson on for injured Burger.
82.30 Pearson booked after toppling over the advertising hoarding & not getting up quickly enough. Yellow cards flowing plentifully now.
84.40 Great move started by Gooch and finished by Mmaee but just wide.
88.12 1-1 ! Swansea equalise from a corner, Darling heading home at the far stick. Bonham didn’t make it.
90+3 Lowe on for Junior.
90+4 Rose heads just over from a corner
90+7 FT 1-1. Could have been worse.
