Stoke City player ratings vs Swansea as outrageous Lewis Baker goal seals vital win

Stoke City player ratings vs Swansea as outrageous Lewis Baker goal seals vital win

Lewis Baker scored an outrageous goal from just inside his own half to wrap up a vital win for Stoke City against Swansea.

Baker, making his 100th appearance for Stoke, came off the bench shortly after the side had slipped one behind due to a close range goal from old boy Josh Tymon, who had capitalised on a defensive mix-up.

He set up the equaliser with the first touch, a free-kick knocked up for Wouter Burger to head in. Bae Junho then put Stoke ahead from a Million Manhoef free-kick, tapping in his first goal of the season.

Stoke were ready to defend through the closing stages but Baker put the finishing touches to a massive afternoon with a stunning goal, spotting Lawrence Vigouroux not even that far off his line and walloping it in from 60 yards. Stoke are now two points behind Swansea with a game in hand and Mark Robins has his first league win at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke’s best chance of the opening half came in the first moments when Ali Al-Hamadi set himself up to meet a cross from Tchamadeu as if he was Pele in Escape to Victory. It was a spectacularly high leap and the shot wasn’t that far wide, even if Lawrence Vigouroux wasn’t overly worried in the Swansea goal.

Ollie Cooper thought he had got the opener at the other end when he raced behind Tchamadeu to meet a neat pass from Lewis O’Brien but the offside flag was raised and whistle went before he slotted it past Viktor Johansson and against the post. Replays suggested he was pretty unlucky to be waved off and Stoke had got a break.

Stoke were behind on the hour mark when Cullen’s pass to Tymon should have been easily mopped up by Ashley Phillips or Johansson – but Phillips ended up poking the ball into the keeper instead and it fell free for Tymon to almost look embarrassed to tap in.

Robins threw on Baker and Manhoef and Baker’s first touch was to clip in a free-kick that Burger rose highest at the back post to head in. Cullen cleared from two foot behind the line but, bizarrely, the linesman played on and it took a buzz on Whitestone’s watch to indicate it had clearly gone in.

It was 2-1 in the 73rd minute when Junho, who had switched to the right, won a free-kick with direct running and dusted himself off to tap it in. Manhoef’s simple delivery plopped into the six-yard box, Delcroix watched it bounce and Junho slipped O’Brien for the decisive touch.

Manhoef could have made it three when he seized on a pass from Ben Cabango but his shot was saved by Vigouroux – but Vigouroux couldn’t get anywhere near the incredible Baker effort that put the seal on a very important result.

Here are the player ratings from the bet365 Stadium.

Johansson: Mortified at mistake leading to Tymon opener. Keen to claim what needed claiming and hurry Stoke up when they were dawdling. 6

Tchamadeu: Can be a nuisance blustering down the line and crosses set up chances for Al-Hamadi and Burger. Found wanting at times defensively. 6

Thompson: First start since October and a willing left-back. Some rusty moments in possession and reluctant to pass forwards often enough. 6

Rose: Some poor choices on the ball and too keen to go back to the keeper but a willing defender and won a handful of headers. 6

Phillips: Will be haunted by Swansea opener that he poked into Johansson to set up Tymon. Ready to stand up and defend through closing stages. 6

Pearson: Welcome return in central midfield and took up useful positions. Customary booking just before half-time. Lasted an hour. 7

Burger: First-half long ranger whipped past the post. Looked for passes in behind and vital equaliser with rare header. 7.5

Moran: Back at number 10 and didn’t link up the game as often as he could have done, with a couple of loose touches. 6

Junho: Used on the right wing then left and much more involved. Won the free-kick that set up his first goal of the season, looking like he was about to explode in relief and joy. 7.5

Koumas: Struggling to have the same impact from game to game and found this one tough. 6

Al-Hamadi: Unlucky with ambitious first minute overhead kick. Ran his socks off and needed more support at times. Standing ovation. 7

Substitutes

Manhoef (for Koumas, 62): Important return from the bench and served up free-kick for Junho to get Stoke’s second. 7

Baker (for Pearson, 62): One hundredth Stoke appearance. First touch was free-kick chipped in for Burger equaliser. Then, wow. Charlie Adam-like goal from own half to seal win. 9

Seko (for Burger, 76): Relieved limping Burger for closing stages and was ready to stick his foot in. 7

Lowe (for Al-Hamadi, 86): Fresh legs to replace Al-Hamadi for vital last few minutes. 6

Wilson-Esbrand (for Thompson, 86): Limping almost immediately when he came on to relieve Thompson at left-back. 6

Not used: Bonham, Vidigal, Lawal, Tezgel.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire) 4

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