Blackburn (0) 1 Stoke (1) 1 – 16/1/21 3pm
City looked on course for all 3 points with Powell’s headed goal, but after a sloppy equaliser & then Chester’s red card Stoke were lucky to come away with a point. As Ian Dury would say, What A Waste. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
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Suddenly Stoke are facing Blackburn again, after seeing them off 1-0 three weeks ago with a first half Powell goal. Now they’re struggling without a recognised striker, but have 3 new players. Norrington-Davies is today’s left back and Rabbi Matondo is today’s Tom Ince (roving right wing). Baby Jack Clarke awaits his fate on the bench. McClean is in the sin-bin for visiting a private gym.
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12.35 Harry Souttar strides through the middle of the pitch like he’s been doing it all his life. His final pass is sadly too ambitious. He probably didn’t recognise anyone that far up the pitch.
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23.55 Armstrong for Rovers puts the ball in the net, breaking after Matondo loses the ball, but the final ball to him is given offside. Rovers players and staff (and anyone who can say “Rover”) go spare with the linesman.
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32.01 Blimey, Jacob Brown breaks through the middle…but the ref calls him back. Matondo and Brown looking lively, but without Tyrese & Fletch it seems pointless.
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37.09 1-0 !!! Nick Powell heads home the 2nd consecutive corner by Thompson from the right. He salutes his fellow players, as their celebrations are slightly, very slightly muted. Patience pays off.
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41.20 Stoke hit the far post! Jordan Thompson! Not his normal approach!
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44.45 Keeper Kaminski makes great save from Souttar header from Thompson corner. Thompson on fire!
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HT Rovers 0 Stoke Thompson 1
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60.30 Always-hobbling Nick Powell is replaced by baby Jack Clarke, who gravitates to the left.
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70.35 Norrington-Davies gets a silly yellow card tugging his opponent’s shirt for all he is worth. Thompson has already picked up his silly card.
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73.20 Stoke beginning to live dangerously, with Bursik finally having to make a save.
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75.40 1-1 !!! Somehow Rovers equalise, Elliott dragging the ball back from the dead ball line for a simple tap-in for John Buckley. Everyone questions whether the ball had crossed the dead ball line…
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78.30 RED CARD, as James Chester is forced to make a professional foul, and is dismissed immediately. Collins moves to centre, Joe Allen fills in at right back in the absence of Diouf…
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79.15 Brilliant save from Bursik from Armstrong…but the move is given offside anyway.
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82.20 Batth on for Matondo, and Cousins on for Joe Allen. Stoke clearly clinging on for the point.
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89.02 Another desperate tackle by Harry Souttar who is throwing himself around for the team like a giant octopus!
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90+ 2.30 Stoke free kick into Rovers penalty area, and City almost steal it.
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90+5 FT Rovers 1 Stoke 1 – two points dropped, & Chester suspended.
