Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Stoke 3-1 Swansea: Two-goal Wilfried Bony haunts former club - 5 things we learned

Wilfried Bony came back to haunt Swansea on Halloween as Stoke extended their unbeaten run to five games.

The on-loan Manchester City striker opened his account for his new club with a brace to pile more misery on the struggling Swans.

Bony set Stoke on their way to victory with the opening goal inside three minutes when he scored from close range.

Wayne Routledge levelled for the visitors shortly after but Alfie Mawson's own goal early in the second half handed the hosts the lead again.

Bony sealed victory when he nodded in to continue his incredible scoring streak against his old employers.

Here's five things we lesrned:

Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring their first goal
Wilfried Bony celebrates his first goal in Stoke colours

1) Wilfried Bony loves playing against Swansea

Bony scored on both of his appearances for Manchester City against his former club in 2015 before he fell from favour at the Etihad and he repeated the feat to break his duck for Stoke.

Former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen hit a half-volley, which he steered home for his first goal since Boxing Day.

Mark Hughes wrote in his programme notes that he was confident Bony would kick on once he got his first goal and his confidence was visibly boosted.

Wilfried Bony score his teams opening goal
Bony pounces to open the scoring

2) Bob Bradley will give youth a chance

The Swansea boss named 18-year-old Daniel James in a matchday squad for the first time.

James, who is notable because he is just about the only footballer without his own Wikipedia page, is a Wales youth international winger.

Swansea signed James from Hull for £72,000 and have big hopes for the pacy winger.

Bob Bradley looks on
Bob Bradley named Daniel James among the substitutes

3) Gylfi Sigurdsson gives Swansea leadership

Bradley named Sigurdsson as Swans skipper for the first time against Stoke because he dropped club captain Leon Britton to the bench.

Swansea desperately need leaders following Ashley Williams' move to Everton in the summer and Sigurdsson showed he is prepared to step up to the plate.

The Icelandic international was immense for Swansea and crossed for Wayne Routledge to head home their leveller.

Wayne Routledge scores the equaliser
Wayne Routledge levelled for Stoke before the break
Wayne Routledge celebrates scoring
Gylfi Sigurdsson had a hand in Routledge's equaliser

4) Charlie Adam revelled in his first league start since May 7

Adam started because of Geoff Cameron's injury and record signing Giannelli Imbula's demotion and made the most of his opportunity.

The Scot, whose Stoke future has been questioned, was bright and shot at every opportunity.

He curled two effort against either post with this trusty left foot to show Mark Hughes he can still do a job for him.

Lukasz Fabianski watches as Charlie Adam's effort strikes the post

5) Joe Allen's best position is No 10

Allen was deployed mainly as a holding midfielder by Brendan Rodgers when he was at Liverpool before he losing his starting place.

But it was no coincidence when he netted for Liverpool last season, it came when he was pushed further forward by Jurgen Klopp.

Mark Hughes has noted Allen's attacking threat and the Wales midfielder had a hand in Bony's opener before creating a chance for Marko Arnautovic to strike the post.

Joe Allen in action with Ki Sung Yueng
Joe Allen was in fine form for the Potters

Player ratings

Stoke

Grant 7: Made a great one-handed save to push away a Routledge half volley.

Bardsley 6: Played despite his grandfather’s death and was beaten by Routledge for his goal.

Shawcross 6: Saw a header from a Shaqiri corner well saved by Fabianski.

Martins Indi 6: Had a bruising encounter with Swansea’s physical striker Llorente.

Pieters 6: Tenacious in the tackle and got forward to rifle a shot wide.

Modou Barrow in action with Erik Pieters
Erik Pieters stops Modou Barrow in his tracks

Whelan 6: Kept things ticking over in the middle of the park as always.

Adam 7: Shone on his first league start of the campaign and hit the post twice.

Shaqiri 7: His corner led to Bony’s goal and was bright before going off injured.

Allen 8: Continued his excellent form for Stoke in the No 10 role.

Arnautovic 7: Was a threat when he cut inside and shot against the post.

Bony 8: MOTM. Showed a poacher’s instincts to steer home his first goal of 2016.

Subs: Ramadan (Shaqiri 26mins) 7, Crouch (Arnautovic 86 mins), Waters (Bony 79 mins).

Ramadan Sobhi celebrates Stoke City
Ramadan Sobhi celebrates after having as hand in Stoke's second

Swansea

Fabianksi 7: Made a fine save to keep out Shawcross’s powerful header.

Naughton 5: Presented Adam with a great chance and went off injured.

Van der Hoorn 6: Improved after a shaky start and passed the ball forward well.

Mawson 5: The rookie was unlucky to divert Ramadan’s cross into his own net.

Swansea City
Alfie Mawson scores an own goal to hand Stoke a 2-1 lead

Taylor 4 : Poor header in the build-up to Bony’s goal and clattered Bardsley.

Fer 6: Showed some nice touches in midfield to keep Swansea moving.

Ki 6: Tried to protect his back four from Adam’s marauding runs.

Barrow 5: Quick, but shot well wide when played in by Sigurdsson.

Sigurdsson 8: Captain for the first time and was Swansea’s main creative spark.

Routledge 7: Great header for his goal and went close with a half volley.

Llorente 7: Was a real handful up front because of his aerial presence.

Subs: Rangel (Naughton 41mins) 5, Barrow (Baston 62mins) 6, Cork (Ki 87mins).