Overall, it was a quiet match week, but Lynden Gooch’s Stoke City managed to secure three crucial points for the first time since August 19. On the flip side, Duane Holmes’ Preston North End suffered their first league loss of the season.
Bristol City 2-3 Stoke City
Despite winning his first match for the Potters, Gooch picked up an injury and was forced to be subbed at half-time.
Sam Bell gives the hosts the lead in the fifth minute, securing an ideal start with a precise near-post finish after Stoke struggled to handle the first corner of the match. Following that, Nahki Wells capitalized on a weak back pass from Stoke to swiftly double the lead after 15 minutes.
However, Algeria international Mehdi Leris managed to narrow the gap with an impressive strike that found the top corner in the 20th minute.
Right after the break, Sead Haksabanovic swiftly equalized by beating Max O’Leary with a well-executed low shot for the Potters. Finally, Lowe scored an equalizer, ending Stoke’s poor run of form, which had encompassed four defeats in five league games.
Gooch only played the full 45 minutes of the first half and appeared to have picked up a hamstring injury. It is unclear about the severity of it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry and substitute him off early, rather than risking further muscle damage.
Preston North End 0-4 West Bromwich Albion
Yes, you read that scoreline right. Duane Holmes and PNE suffered a humiliating loss at home to WBA, marking this as their first league loss of the season.
Furlong, the right wing-back, kick-started Albion’s momentum with a low strike into the bottom corner just four minutes into the game. In the 29th minute, John Swift set up Mowatt, who skillfully fired into the far corner.
Preston has shown remarkable resilience in turning around losing positions this season. However, when Phillips secured his second goal of the season in the 62nd minute, making it 3-0, it seemed their fate was sealed.
In the later stages, Jed Wallace orchestrated a play that led to Bartley adding a close-range fourth goal, marking Preston’s first loss of the season.
Holmes was substituted in the 64th minute and was completely silenced during this game. It wasn’t a great performance, especially with the October NT camp announcement around the corner.
Notes
Tyler Bindon, who played the full 90 minutes for Reading in their goalless draw against Burton Albion, came out earlier on the week stating he has decided to play for New Zealand via American soccer writer, Brian Sciaretta.
Despite playing under Marko Mitrovic at youth level representing the U.S, Bindon came to a difficult decision and opted to play for the Kiwis. It is a huge loss, especially considering the lack of talented youthful central defenders coming through the ranks at his caliber. However, we wish nothing but the best for Reading’s breakout star.
Kristian Fletcher is thoroughly enjoying his stellar debut at Swansea City’s U21. The American, who arrived in early September, has already tallied three goals. On loan from the MLS side DC United, the 18-year-old secured a brace against Hull City in Swansea City Under-21s’ inaugural Premier League Cup fixture on Friday evening.
Vaughn Covil played in the Hull City U21s squad that suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Fletcher’s Swansea City.
Haji Wright came on as a 79th-minute substitute in Coventry’s 3-1 away trip win against QPR.
Charlie Kelman was an unused substitute in QPR’s 3-1 home loss against Wright’s Coventry City.
Jonathan Tomkinson wasn’t in the Bradford City squad that lost to Walsall in League Two.
Josh Sargent and Daryl Dike are both still recovering from their injuries.
Follow Yanks Abroad on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for news and views on Americans playing the beautiful game around the world and the U.S. national team.