Stoke took a significant step towards retaining their Championship status with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the bet365 Stadium.
Dutch winger Million Manhoef opened the scoring in the first half before defender Ben Wilmot added a second after the break following a terrible error from Owls goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
Victory extends the Potters’ unbeaten run to five matches – made up of three wins and two draws – and moves them seven points clear of the relegation zone with just three matches of the season remaining.
Wednesday, meanwhile, have now gone six games without a win and drop one place to 15th – just above Stoke who are 16th.
The first chance of note was fashioned by Stoke as Junior Tchamadeu’s ball into the box was headed just over the crossbar by Ashley Phillips.
The hosts continued to look the brighter of the two teams in the opening exchanges and deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute, when Manhoef slotted home at the back post after Bae Jun-ho’s pull back was diverted to him by Jordan Thompson – an early substitute for the injured Eric Bocat.
They came close to doubling their advantage seven minutes before half-time, with Manhoef’s wayward shot being deflected onto the crossbar by Dominic Iorfa before the visitors cleared their lines.
Wednesday’s first opportunity of the match came in the 55th minute as Callum Paterson headed Svante Ingelsson’s cross into the ground and over the crossbar.
Moments later, Djeidi Gassama’s close-range effort was brilliantly blocked by Phillips and deflected out for a corner.
But just as it appeared as though Danny Rohl’s side might find a way back into the game, goalkeeper Charles inexplicably fired a goal kick out of his hands straight into the back of Wilmot before the ball ricocheted goalwards and over the line just beyond the hour mark.
Wednesday nearly halved the deficit in the 81st minute through Michael Smith, whose curled attempt hit the inside of the post.
Stoke were good value for the three points, though, and the final whistle was greeted with a huge roar from the home fans.
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
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[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
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[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
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[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
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