Stoic performances by Powell, Campbell, Allen and (possibly!) Ince resulted in fellow-strugglers Charlton being crushed. Stoke looked like a proper team again. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
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3 months to the day since Michael joined, this is the 17th game Stoke have played (7 wins, 7 defeats, 2 draws so far). In that time Tyrese has become a regular, today returning from injury, straight into the starting line-up. James Chester debuts in place of disappearing Lindsay, and Indi thankfully replaces poor vanished Tymon at left back. Boy, does Josh suffer at Stoke. There, didn’t mention 6-pointer once! Nearly.
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1.32 Eager Stoke have 2 shots blocked, even Joe Allen has a go from distance.
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11.34 Joe’s at it again! His blast is deflected away by a defender’s hand (shows the replay), but as it was covering his groin, we’ll forgive the guy. A little.
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16.02 Chester feeling his way into the game, covering well, but slicing a clearance away for a corner is scaring the Boothen a bit.
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23.35 Tyrese is making a real nuisance of himself. It really is all about HIM. This is NOT a Sam Vokes anonymous appearance. He’s winning free kicks, conceding free-kicks, and annoying anyone and everyone.
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26.50 Joe scythed down for the first yellow card (David Davis (no relation)). Doubt it will be the last. Getting physical.
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27.37 1-0 !!! McClean finishes off a great Clucas free-kick move, headed back across the goal-mouth by a horizontal Nick Powell. Strange that JamesM was on the right side of goal, but it fooled the London club. The previously loud Charlton fans don’t appear to be singing anymore, observe the home supporters.
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45+1 1-1 !!! Cross from Stoke’s left by Andre Green is volleyed in either by Ben Purrington or by Tommy Smith. Replay just shows…Stoke defence caught napping.
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HT 1-1, but it’s daylight robbery by Athletic.
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48.23 2-1 !! Joe Allen decides NOT to shoot, but slips it through to not-offside (?) Tom Ince, and Tommo slides it past keeper Dillon Phillips. Defenders furious it’s not offside. Can’t be helped, though. Stoke fans bite their tongues and cheer Tom Ince!
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Attendance – 23,508
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59.45 Tyrese leading the line with a lot of style, passing with the experience of an older man. But he is playing too deep. He’s more “everywhere” than Joe Allen, which takes some doing. Also, one of Powell’s best games…so far.
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63.25 Ince almost scores his 2nd. How would fans cope with that? They’d need counselling.
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65.03 3-1 !!! Nick Powell proves me right by snapping home in a tight penalty area from a cross from the right by Smith. But it’s Tyrese (playing deep!) who brings the ball all the way to the penalty area to set up Smith. Crowd deafeningly commending Michael O’Neill’s drinking habits in song.
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71.02 Almost 4 as Phillips almost drops a corner from McClean.
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76.02 Jordan Thompson replaces injured Powell. (Could have sworn he said Cousins!)
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78.22 McClean cynically taken out by Matthews for another yellow card…could have been red as James was practically past the last man.
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79.30 Vokes replaces Tyrese, and immediately gets on the end of a couple of chances. Ince is then taken out on a break too, and another yellow card (Cullen). Crowd baying for straight reds.
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86.20 Back to normal, as Stoke are 3 against 1 up front, but Ince manages to lose the ball!
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88.20 Verlinden on for man of match Ince. Tyrese was my choice…
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90+1 First real chance for Charlton, but misses. Jack dives flamboyantly though.
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90+5 Charlton give up. Ends 3-1. Okay day at work & Stoke win & climb the table. For Michael it’s 8 wins from 16 league games in charge. He deserves a drink.
