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.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
