Stoke 1 Rotherham 0 31/10/20 3pm
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A re-Vamped Stoke took all 3 points thanks to McClean ghosting through to score the only goal in this tough Halloween tussle. Here’s how this spooky game unfolded in real time:
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It’s Halloween. Stoke have already had a horror show at Swansea on Tuesday, with no shots on goal, an injured keeper (Davies), and a replacement keeper looking like the movie “Jack Butland 2 – the chaos continues!”. Apart from the keeper swap, Michael O’Neill (MON) changes the forward line today (Fletcher, Tyrese & Powell in for Vokes & Brown), but maybe more significantly is the return of Jordan Thompson. Can Thomps be the next Glenn Hoddle? …
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1.32 Danny Batth – replacing Chester in defence – gets a wrist slapped in his face. It’s rare to see him prone on the ground, clearly dazed.
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7.07 Stoke caught out by superb Rotherham free kick, with a slick passing movement resulting in the ball in the back of Stoke’s net. Thankfully it’s all offside.
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11.46 Stoke try the fancy stuff too, with breaking Fletcher lifting the ball over for Tyrese to head an assist for McClean to poke wide under pressure. Too clever.
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14.15 Mikel tickles Lindsay, who collapses in a heap again. Meanwhile, Tyrese (on the right this time) is proving a handful for United, although most of his finishes are going into orbit.
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22.25 Fletcher (with a bun in his hair) (Grief!) gives keeper Blackman an unnecessary poke with his foot. Can’t believe he didn’t get a yellow card. Daft.
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26.16 1-0 !!! Goal kick by Gunn, headed on by Fletcher perhaps, and McClean lobs the keeper on the run! Gunn claiming the assist! Maybe it only clipped Fletcher’s bun! Route one!
Powell immediately almost makes it 2-0, but his shot is blocked for a corner.
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31.40 Miller’s shot beats Gunn, and just clips the top of the bar.
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32.25 Tyrese put through on goal…but somehow offside! Stoke pushing forward as they’ve noticed that keeper Blackman is hobbling slightly…
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45+1 Somehow Stoke survive to half-time, HT 1-0.
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48.10 Powell gets his obligatory clattering, collapsing in a heap. Typical.
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62.14 Powell gets a REAL battering from a fist on the back of the head. Targeted.
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71.02 Tyrese scythed from behind as he tears towards goal. So cynical it deserves a red card, but only gets a yellow for Michael Smith.
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74.30 Good news is that Jacob Brown is ready to come on. Bad news is that Sam Vokes might join him. Is this MON’s secret weapon?
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76.55 Brown on for Tyrese Campbell, who’s been very lively, but his passing a bit wayward. Then it’s a swapping of the Jordans, as Thompson is replaced by Cousins.
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79.40 One of the poorest free-kicks from Rotherham, blasted well over the bar towards Heron Green.
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85.10 Fletcher stretches to try and finish, but it’s offside anyway…
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90.00 Everyone bewildered where ref has found 6 minutes time added…!
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90+5 Almost own-goal of the season as Rotherham back-pass floats over the keeper and just wide. Poltergeist in the works there.
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90+6 Stoke take the points by 1-0. 45% possession at home. Stoke rise to 8th with a clean sheet for Angus Gunn.
