Potters grab vital win against underperforming Swans

Peter Crouch’s brace inside 36 minutes was sufficient enough for Stoke City to grab their first victory in 12 games as the home side strolled to victory against a weak Swansea City side as Laudrup’s men fell to their third consecutive league defeat, conceding seven and scoring none in those three fixtures.

Stoke were able to capitalise on some poor defensive work not once, but twice as Peter Crouch put himself back into the International forefront with his fourth goal of the season. The 31 year old striker now shares the title of highest scoring Englishman in the league with 4 goals, joining Rickie Lambert (30) & Jermaine Defoe (29); proving there is no greater attribute than experience.

Stoke started strongly and after just 12 minutes were able to take the lead when Glenn Whelan’s corner was sufficiently better than the previous efforts from Charlie Adam, finding the head of Crouch who remained unmarked to open the scoring with his header finding the back of the net. Just how Swansea allowed the most dangerous player to remain unmarked is beyond belief, but Crouch so often has the ability to create chances that other players of his stature may struggle with as he proves week in week out for Stoke. Crouch was on fire, and moments later almost created another chance as he charged down Swansea keeper Michel Vorm but the Dutchman was able to clear hastily. Charlie Adam saw one effort clear the bar whilst another fell straight into the arms of Vorm however at the other end, Swansea saw one Michu effort comfortably stopped by Asmir Begovic whilst the Bosnian was rarely troubled in the first half by anything else, barring a Danny Graham effort when Stoke gave away possession sloppily. After 36 minutes Stoke found their prowess once again though and were able to exploit some poor Swansea defending when the away team weren’t able to clear their lines and Crouch finished his second effort once Vorm parried away the first.

In the final 45 minutes, Swansea held possession well without really creating any chances, whereas Crouch (labelled unplayable by manager Tony Pulis post-match) went looking for his hat-trick. The 6ft 7” forward headed against the crossbar in a chance that was probably easier to score than miss and his attempted overhead kick lacked a cutting edge before the striker was brought off for Kenwyne Jones on 85 minutes. It was a day to remember for Peter Crouch and his very presence was enough to trouble the Swansea defence with every direct pass to his head. The second half petered out into nothing and Stoke stood firm to keep the opposition out for the remaining 45 minutes as Stoke recorded their first win of the season in a vital game.

Stoke travel to Liverpool & Manchester United next in two games that we would usually expect exactly 0 points from, but this being a newly progressed Stoke, could we actually look to get something from these next two fixtures? Statistically we’re looking like a team desperate for some luck. At home we look solid, going unbeaten in 10 games, whilst we look much better on the road too; a brand new Stoke, much evolved from the Stoke that simply flopped away from home. Stoke are looking to break the 10 game home unbeaten run set in 1973 against Sunderland next month and exciting times lie ahead for this club, a club breaking records every season and I take much pleasure from simply seeing the club in top league in England.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Kightly, Whelan (Whitehead 81), N’Zonzi, Adam (Etherington 68), Walters, Crouch (Jones 85)

Swansea: Vorm, Chico, Rangel, Davies, Williams, Michu (Moore 75), Britton, Hernandez (Routledge 62), Dyer, Ki, Graham.

Report Submitted by: Ross Hancock