Rowett’s smash & grab as Millwall beat Stoke City

Ex-Stoke manager Gary Rowett & his luke-warm Millwall side stole all 3 points without even having to break into a sweat. Stoke’s defending was suspect for both goals, an Easter gift for GaryR. Here’s how it unfolded in real time:

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Unchanged against Gary Rowett, & looking for 3 wins in a row for the first time since 1742 (BC). Bursik, Cousins & Clucas return to bench.

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11.20 Jacob Brown making a nuisance of himself, winning corners and throw-ins, but after a poor cross, he charges into the area to perform a weak back-heal that doesn’t reach Powell.

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22.17 One of the worst passes ever seen at the bet365, as Dan McNamara plays the ball straight into touch as if aiming for an invisible player! Hopeless.

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28.09 Jacob Brown drives a powerful shot straight at the keeper Bartosz Bialbowski from 25 yards, and “Bart” is a little shocked (as are we!). Meanwhile Powell gets clipped late, and (typically about this time of the game) requires treatment.

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34.59 0-1 ! Much fumbling from a corner from Stoke’s left, and it’s bundled in by Murray Wallace. Poor defending.

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36.55 Batth gets yellowed for mauling a player, but he redeems himself by heading away the subsequent free kick. Powell gets crocked again.

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40.15 1-1 !! Long ball from Powell, and Fletcher lays off Jacob Brown to put the ball right through keeper Bart! Bart’s not invisible, but maybe translucent.

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HT Gary’s Old Club 1 Gary’s New Club 1

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61.01 Thompson’s cross from the left hits Fletcher full in the face, his least vulnerable spot.

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66.15 After Souttar is penalised for having a player run into him, Davies spills a catch, panicking Stoke’s defenders. He’s not the only one panicking.

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69.45 Jacob Brown replaced by Sam Clucas, with Powell no doubt pushing forward

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70.24 1-2 !! Mason Bennett taps in after Batth misses a simple tackle on Jed Wallace. Rowett must think Easter has come early.

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75.20 Matondo and McClean on for Batth and Thompson. Two wingers …?

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85.01 Vokes on for Smith. Not sure how this will work…!

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FT Stoke 1 Gary’s Millwall 2