Stoke City 2-0 Swansea City
STOKE CITY GAVE their league campaign a much-needed boost with a 2-0 win over Swansea at the Britannia Stadium.
The win, their second Premier League victory of the calendar year, ensures Stoke begin next week in 12th place, ahead of both Swansea and West Brom.
The Potters went ahead in the 24th minute through Matthew Upson, with Peter Crouch doubling their lead 15 minutes later. Rising above a crowded penalty area, the striker powered a header beyond the reach of Tremmel in the Swansea net.
The Welsh side certainly started the brighter, Nathan Dyer releasing Scott Sinclair, who in turn blazed an effort over the bar, but in spite of their dominance, Swansea struggled to find an incisive final pass.
Emboldened by their opponent’s profligacy, Stoke grew grew into the match.
Predictably, their first goal came from a set-piece: a corner. Perfectly placed to take advantage of the delivery, Upson sent an effort thundering into the top corner.
Ryan Shotton was the architect for Stoke’s second just before the break, the young flanker sending a throw-in, Delap-like, straight into the heart of the box. Crouch’s finish ensured Stoke entered the break in total control.
The hosts began the second-half as they had finished the first, keeping their opponents pinned down in their own territory.
Swansea, though they started to regain some confidence, struggled to threaten.
Steven Caulker almost secured a consolation goal, forcing a tremendous save from Begovic in the dying moments, but the hosts had long since declared themselves content to sit back and whatever pressure Swansea could bring to bear.
