Rotherham 0 Stoke (1) 1 – 13/1/24 3pm
A brilliant free kick goal by Lewis Baker on the stroke of half time divided these sides in a gritty but hardly exciting match. If Lewis is leaving, he’s doubled his value. Stoke rise to 17th. Here’s how this game unfolded in real time:
In come new January (loan!!) signings Luke Cundle and Daniel Iversen (ok, so he let in 4 last week, but it was vs Prem). Haksabanovic grabs his first team spot vs a Rotherham side with only one win (boxing day) since October…exactly like Stoke! City must not lose against bottom side United as last time they lost their manager. Potters are in blue. Very fetching.
3.01 The sight of United’s Sam Clucas (ex-Stoke) dispossessing Curdle & romping around midfield unchallenged is disconcerting.
14.20 As Haksabanovic is brought down, he gives clear indication as to how many times he’s been tripped, or maybe he’s just flicking a V sign! Ref nonplussed.
18.10 Curdle pulled apart, but no foul.
19.55 Clucas shoots from another mile away and manages to get a corner. He only just missed.
22.30 New Slimline Clucas easily wins header over Luke Curdle. Embarrassing.
25.20 Great shot by Vidigal touched over by keeper Viktor Johansson. But Stoke can’t apply their corners in the same way United apply their long throws.
33.01 Iversen has to come out and head the ball clear! Not in his contract at all.
40.20 Player goes straight through Vidigal, who collapses on the edge of the pitch. Supporters less than impressed.
45+2 1-0!!! Lewis Baker free kick in the top corner!! Free kick won by Thompson on edge of penalty area. Up till then there was a question as to what Baker was bringing to the party.
HT 1-0 to Stoke!
Attendance 11002 (away 2184)
64.05 Leris on for Halsabanovic. United squeezing Stoke.
71.01 Clucas subbed. He’d lost his domination.
77.06 Burger gets yellowed as normal, pulling a player back. One for the team?
79.15 Tyrese Campbell on for Mmaee, who was struggling to make a breakthrough. Tyrese needs to mix things up.
89.05 Pearson on for Curdle.
93.10 Yellow for Pearson for silly time wasting. Stoke clinging on, but a decent shot by Vidigal bringing a save out for Viktor.
96.30 Great break by Vidigal but only gets a corner. Another yellow for Thompson for time wasting.
Ft 1-0!!
