A goal from Jack McGlynn and some help from the opponents helped Stoke City to a win over Blackburn Rovers as they closed in on the top spot in the Championship.
Blackburn 1-2 Stoke City
Stoke City moved up to fourth place in the standings as they were able to hold on for the win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park to claim their fourth consecutive win.
Jack McGlynn played the entire game for the Potters as he made two key passes, won five duels, and made six defensive contributions. Luca Bombino played the first half to win five duels and make four recoveries.
The hosts looked the stronger side, with a couple of good chances to open the scoring, but they could not find the net.
Then, Stoke grabbed the opener in the 43rd minute when McGlynn’s free-kick from the left side of the field caught the goalkeeper off guard. While there was an attempt to clear the ball away, the referee confirmed that the goal was good.
The visitors entered the second half with all determination to score a second goal as they kept Blackburn’s backline on their toes. However, those attempts would go wide of the target.
Stoke was then gifted a second in the 68th minute when a clearance saw the ball take a freakish hit on Blackburn midfielder Moussa Baradji as it ended up in the goal.
The hosts reduced the deficit in the 87th minute, but it was too late to mount a comeback for a tie as Stoke left the field with all three points.
Stoke heads away to face Portsmouth on Saturday.
Notes
Around the Championship, Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter started, and Max Arfsten came off the bench as leaders Middlesbrough took a 2-0 loss to Wrexham.
George Campbell played the first half as West Bromwich Albion shared the points with Southampton in a 1-1 tie.
Charlie Kelman played 62 minutes in Charlton Athletic’s 1-0 defeat to Bolton.
Caleb Wiley played the second half as struggling Preston North End fell in a 3-2 loss to Sheffield United.
Down in League One, Lynden Gooch was an unused substitute as leaders Huddersfield shared the points with Luton Town after a 1-1 tie.
