Stoke made it 3 wins on the bounce away at Middlesbrough who The Potters haven’t beaten away since 1997. Alex Neil was under increasing pressure coming into this week following the international break, but he has ended it with supporters singing his name after hard-working and deserved wins over Sunderland, Leeds United and now Boro, who had won their previous six. The triumphant Stoke team were backed by 994 Stokies who made the long 115 mile up to the North East.
Stoke started quickly as a looping ball was controlled by striker Dwight Gayle who was through on goal, however, the forward could not find the finish. Stoke were clearly the more aggressive team in the opening stages and they controlled all the possession and dictated all the attacking plays. This Stoke dominance was rewarded in the 8th minute as Michael Rose thumped a header into the back of the net after an in swinging corner courtesy of Haksabanovic . This marked the Scotsman’s first goal for The Potters. The travelling side continued to threaten the Boro goal as Ki Jana Hoever played Mehdi Leris through on goal one on one with the keeper, however, the winger had his effort saved by Dieng. Stoke then doubled their lead in the 37th minute as Mehdi Leris thumped the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0 to Stoke before the half time whistle.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Stoke dominated the play and constantly threatened the Middlesbrough goal. The in-form Boro side were repeatedly giving the ball away in dangerous positions and could not break the Stoke press. The home side did have a few efforts on the Stoke goal however, all of their chances were half chances that didn’t threaten Jack Bonham. Stoke almost had a third in the 67th minute as Sead Haksabanovic received the ball on the left hand side of the box, the winger had a golden opportunity to score however, his effort on goal was comfortably saved by Dieng. The full time whistle blew as Stoke made it a 9 point week and win 3 in a row for the first time since November 2021. Full time 0-2.
On Friday afternoon, Stoke’s goalkeeper Mark Travers was recalled by his parent club Bournemouth. Alex Neil had his say on the situation: "Trav definitely wants to come back, unless he's playing for Bournemouth - but that will be their decision.”
Q: Is Ryan Mmaee a serious problem?
Neil: “It's not a serious one. He's got a bit of a nick and I’m hopeful he should be ready for Saturday.
“Wouter had just run his race really, he was done; Ben Pearson you could see had run his race, he was done; Mehdi Leris needed to come off, he was knackered. They’ve put an incredible amount of effort in this week.”
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