Wolves 0 Stoke (0) 1
Carabao Cup 17/9/20 7pm
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Stoke City knocked Premier League Wolves out of the Carabao (League) Cup at Molineux, keeping yet another clean-sheet! A late goal by sub Jacob Brown ensured the game didn’t go to penalties. Cup runs? Clean sheets? Stoke fans don’t know what’s hit them! Well, this is what hit them tonight in real time:
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Seven changes for Stoke (particularly those 2 central defenders Collins & Souttar for Batth & Chester) almost implies that Michael O’Neill doesn’t see this as important as the Blackpool game in the 1st round (won on penalties). We shall see! Both sides have secret weapons on the bench – maybe their deployment will seal the game. Molineux’s artificial crowd looks not unlike a pile of gravel. These two clubs have never met in the League Cup supposedly. History is being made.
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11.01 As Davies dives to collect easily from a low cross/shot (the striker couldn’t make up his mind), it’s noticeable that MON (O’Neill) is playing with a back-3 (Souttar, Collins & Martins Indi) or a back-5 if you include the full-backs…which I always do. Managers never like to admit that they’re playing 5 at the back
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15.03 As the ball is miss-hit by Wolves into touch, we get to see MON in Stoke’s new tracksuit looking not unlike a fireman’s outfit from a fancy dress store. Tell me I’m wrong.
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18.25 Collins caught on the ball in the 6 yard box. Davies comes to his rescue and it’s fumbled away. MON is proud of his defensive performances, so Nathan had better watch out.
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23.30 Adama Traore looking every bit the talented flare player that Tony Pulis would quickly sell (from Boro to Wolves in 2018). However, he laughingly gives the ball away to Tommy Smith in a way to make you think his eyesight is suspect. But he is the reason Wolves enjoy 75% possession!
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30.20 Tommy Smith gifted another ball that makes his tackle rate look very healthy. His cross for Vokes was to justify his supposed position as winger, when in fact he’s not fooling anyone: he’s a full-back in a back-5. Interestingly, on the left, McClean isn’t raining in any crosses for lonely Vokes or lost Gregory. And Josh Tymon seems too timid to push into James’ territory. It’s still the Tommy Smith show.
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45+1 Souttar throws himself in front of a Traore shot just as the half-time whistle blows. Premier 0 Championship 0. No sign of any secret weapons yet.
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57.01 McClean and the left hand side of Stoke’s team have woken up, so it’s all Tymon backed up by Captain Indi. Smith not getting the same attention anymore.
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63.08 Ex-Wolves Vokes replaced by ex-Wolves Steven Fletcher. Wolves’ secret weapon is Neto. Which weapon will strike first?
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70.01 Speedy Jacob Brown replaces Gregory. Has MON played a master plan, or has he just rearranged the deckchairs?
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82.00 Traore hits a cross so wildly it makes you wonder whether he’s on the point of giving up. Tony Pulis watching at home is laughing his head off.
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84.15 Jacob Brown attempts a flying header. He’s looks like a match winner!
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85.30 1-0!!! McClean leaps over Fletcher’s pass, and Brown baffles the keeper with his shot! Wolves can’t believe it. Stoke lead!! MON’s secret weapon hits the target!
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90+3 Wolves’ last chance surely flies south…well, over the bar. (Sylva)
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90+4 Brown tripped on edge of penalty area – could easily have been a penalty. Jake & Fletch take the ball towards the corner flag…although they fail to get there!
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90+5 STOKE WIN, and knock a Premier League side out of the Carabao Cup!! Away from home!! With a young much-changed side. Extraordinary.
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Wolves 0 Stoke City 1!!
