Steven Schumacher returned to former club Plymouth for the first time since becoming Stoke manager and departed with a narrow 1-0 Championship win.
Dutch attacker Million Manhoef’s persistence was rewarded in the 83rd minute with the winning goal, fired in low from the right edge of the penalty area.
In a frenetic opening half, Morgan Whittaker proved a thorn in Stoke’s side. The attacking midfielder fired a warning shot of what was to come in the fifth minute with a 20-yard effort which City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson gathered comfortably to his midriff.
Johansson had to go full stretch four minutes later, diving high into the top corner to keep out another Whittaker effort after the Argyle player jinked his way into the box.
Stoke countered immediately with a long lofted through ball landing perfectly at the feet of Manhoef.
The Stoke forward barely had to break stride to take the ball on and towards goal, chased by two Argyle defenders.
He looked set to score but home goalkeeper Conor Hazard had other ideas and made a brilliant blocking save as Manhoef let fly on the run in the 10th minute.
The Dutch Under-21 international’s follow-up was also saved by Hazard at full stretch, while – from the resulting corner – Wouter Burger’s goal-bound low effort was kept out by Hazard’s extended leg.
Burger and Mahoef then combined to force Hazard into action again in the 20th minute, diving bravely at the latter’s feet to once again deny him.
Argyle again responded well with Whittaker gliding past three players in the centre of the pitch before sending Dutch winger Ibrahim Cissoko away down the left. Cissoko cut in but his shot flew across the face of goal.
Scottish striker Ryan Hardie was fouled by Burger on the edge of the Stoke penalty area in the 32nd minute but Adam Randell’s free-kick flew high and wide.
When Argyle were awarded another free-kick – after 38 minutes – Randell went much closer from the same distance, forcing Johansson to save and sending the ball down the outside of the side netting.
Stoke made a lively start to the second half with Lewis Koumas cutting the ball back for Ryan Mmaee to fire just over at the near post after 54 minutes.
Johansson’s best save of the game came in the 67th minute when he stretched full length to steer Whittaker’s goal-bound shot from the right around the far post.
He equalled that with a brilliant save to tip substitute Michael Obafemi’s shot over the crossbar after 75 minutes.
Hazard again denied Manhoef, using his body to block the striker’s low shot as he cut inside from the right, three minutes later.
But, just seven minutes from time, Manhoef cut in from the same side – wrong-footing marker Bali Mumba – to fire the ball low past a diving Hazard and just inside the post.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Mbappe VS Liverpool Path confirmed… Kylian Mbappe after Virgil van Dijk took him down. 0.6% chance. 99.4% faith. lol I can't unsee this … League titles won "since 2009" Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Egyptian is locked in contract negotiations with the club, who do not want to commit to a multi-year, high wage deal.Salah is in the form of his life, but is 32, which is giving the Reds pause for giving him a two or three-year extension.Per Sky Sports, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are not actively pursuing Salah at present.While he is a target and one they would love to sign, they are not go...
The Blues have made an effort to sign the best and youngest talent from around the world since the takeover by Clearlake.Chelsea are in talks to sign the son of Emmanuel EboueChelsea will have to pay compensation for Mathis EboueThe club are now in talks to sign Mathis Eboue from the Watford academy.The 15-year-old is, of course, the son of Arsenal cult hero Emmanuel Eboue.The Daily Mail have clai...
Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez signed a one-year contract extension, meaning he will continue to play in Major League Soccer next season.Suarez, who joined the Herons on a one-year contract in December, tied for second place in the MLS Golden Boot race and earned a nomination to the 2024 MLS newcomer of the year award."I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to en...
United target Napoli's KvaratskheliaManchester United are reportedly showing strong interest in Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to SportMediaset. The 23-year-old Georgian star, under contract with Napoli until 2027, has yet to reach an agreement on an extension with the Serie A leaders. The Red Devils are prepared to table a lucrative five-year deal worth at least €8 million ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Big GabrielSporting 1-5 Arsenal Who will win this month's Manager of the Month award? What happens when you come up against Saliba and Gabriel... Wayne Rooney, a true legend on and off the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo in the iconic white and gold jersey brings back so many unforgettable memories! Throwback to THIS Beautiful Moment when Lionel Messi scored his 50th ca...
Bellingham admits 'vibrations' were key to Liverpool snubJude Bellingham has revealed how close he came to joining Liverpool, and the "vibrations" he felt when Real Madrid came calling."It wasn't as close as it was said," Bellingham said ahead of Real's Champions League clash with Liverpool. "There were conversations. There was Dortmund and I did it with several clubs. When Real Madrid call you, t...
Manchester City's Champions League match on Tuesday night was marred by crowd trouble, with Feyenoord fans causing chaos at the Etihad Stadium. The Dutch supporters, escorted by police from the city centre to the stadium, filled all three tiers of the South Stand.After City scored three goals, Feyenoord managed to net one with about 15 minutes left, leading to riot police stepping in to prevent cl...
Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists Mohamed Salah isn't unsettled over his contract situation.After scoring twice in victory at Southampton on Sunday, Salah revealed he had not heard from management about a new deal. His current contract expires in June."The only thing I can say is, if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out," said Slot."I don't think he's distracted at all. I haven't seen that...
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he doesn't fully understand how the new Champions League format worked after his team earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday to improve their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bayern needed a first-half goal from defender Kim Min-Jae to battle past 10-man PSG and claim a third win in five matches."I don't look at the table...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Chelsea make Nkunku sale call amid ManUtd interest
- 3 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 4 €60-70m could bring star to Liverpool or Man Utd
- 5 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 6 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year
- 7 Former Premier League star saved his wife and baby from house fire
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 The secret and very normal jobs of England’s WAGs
- 10 Thierry Henry poses with rarely-seen partner Andrea on red carpet