Ali Al-Hamadi scored as Stoke boosted their Championship survival hopes with a 1-0 win over play-off chasing Blackburn.
Hours after being called up for Iraq’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, loanee Al-Hamadi netted his second goal for the club after 19 minutes as the Potters won only a third league game under Mark Robins in 12 attempts.
But they were also indebted to two magnificent saves from goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, with his second denying Joe Rankin-Costello in stoppage time.
Starting the night one point above the drop zone, City’s victory lifted them up to 19th and four points clear of the bottom three.
In contrast, Rovers have taken a solitary point from a possible nine under new boss Valerien Ismael and their four-game winless run leaves them four points off the top six.
Both sides went into the game on the back of defeats last weekend.
Stoke, still smarting from their stoppage-time loss at Coventry, created the first chance in what soon became a tetchy encounter.
Al-Hamadi found Million Manhoef in space but the Dutch star dithered. His indecision allowed Hayden Carter to execute a perfect block when Manhoef finally fired goalwards.
Rovers had won four of their six previous away games at Stoke but were up against it when the home side went in front.
Dominic Hyam’s crossfield pass was easily picked off by Bae Jun-ho. The South Korean international combined with Lewis Baker and the one-time Rovers loanee whipped a low centre across the six-yard box and Al-Hamadi slid in at the far post.
Todd Cantwell thought he had equalised after 25 minutes and would have done but for Johansson tipping the midfielder’s effort on to a post.
Neither side made changes at the break but 22 seconds after the restart Rovers’ striker Makhtar Gueye was booked for one foul too many.
Full-back Callum Brittain almost fashioned a stunning leveller but his 30-yard drive after 51 minutes did not dip in time to beat Johansson.
After a lengthy stoppage for an accidental clash of heads, the game resumed with Al-Hamadi and Hyam sporting bandages to protect their cuts.
Robins used the time to replace the ineffective Manhoef with Lewis Koumas.
Blackburn made their first three of five substitutions in the 65th minute but the frequent interruptions were only harming Rovers’ hopes of finding an attacking rhythm.
And they had goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to thank for cutting out a dangerous cross from substitute Koumas.
Al-Hamadi had been at the heart of all Stoke’s best moves and he received a standing ovation from home supporters when making way for ex-Rover Sam Gallagher with 16 minutes remaining.
Stoke then held on for a vital win thanks to Johansson’s stunning save in the third of nearly 10 minutes of added time.
[(SC Heerenveen) Weakness]: 1. SC Heerenveen currently ranked 14th in the Eredivisie table. In this match against FC Twente, SC Heerenveen, who are in mediocre form, will find it more difficult to win at home and lack motivation.2. SC Heerenveen defender Pawel Bochniewicz and midfielder Levi Smans will both miss this round of the Eredivisie due to injuries.3. SC Heerenveen have only managed 4 draw...
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[(FC Anyang) Strength]: 1. FC Anyang have scored a total of 13 goals in their last 10 matches, averaging 1.3 goals per game.[(FC Anyang) Weakness]: 1. FC Anyang lost 0-1 to Pohang Steelers in their last game, suffering their third consecutive defeat. They have lost six of their last seven matches, and the team's overall form is rather poor.2. After 26 rounds, FC Anyang have conceded 35 goals, rank...
[(Everton F.C.) Strength]: 1. The two sides have met 16 times in total, with Everton F.C. achieving a record of 7 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses, holding the upper hand.[(Everton F.C.) Weakness]: 1. Everton F.C. have not won a single game in their last seven matches across all competitions, losing five of them. The team's recent form is worrying.2. Everton F.C. have scored a total of 3 goals in their ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal get a corner: The battle for the Scudetto returns Gyokeres Celebration Combo (1st) Arsenal 5-0 Leeds Timber 34',56' / Saka 45+1' / Gyokeres 48',94'p Man City 0-2 Tottenham Chelsea top of the table now Pep Guardiola VS Tottenham Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, ZezoCartoons89,...

[(Crystal Palace F.C.) Strength]: 1. Crystal Palace F.C. scored 3 goals in 3 competitive games, with forward Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring 2 goals.2. Crystal Palace F.C. kept clean sheets in the last 2 games against Chelsea in the league and the Eliteserien team Fredrikstad in the Conference League.3. Crystal Palace F.C. were unbeaten with 7 wins and 2 draws in the last 9 home games across the seas...
[(FC Seoul) Strength]: 1. FC Seoul scored in each of their recent 6 games with 11 goals, showing decent attack.2. FC Seoul were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in the previous 2 league games against Ulsan HD FC this season, slightly having the upper hand.[(FC Seoul) Weakness]: 1. FC Seoul lost 6-2 to Gimcheon Sangmu FC in the last league game on the road. They were winless in the recent 2 league ma...
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‘Milan cannot keep conceding such soft goals’ - Allegri Left Frustrated After Shock Opening Day DefeatMassimiliano Allegri voiced his frustration after Milan’s shock 2-1 Serie A opening day defeat to Cremonese on Saturday (August 23), criticising his side for conceding 'soft goals'.Federico Baschirotto, 28, opened the scoring for the visitors after Strahinja Pavlovic’s mist...



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