Six games in and no victories, it’s fair to say it has been a bleak start for Mark Hughes’ men.
Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring their first goal
Alvaro Negredo scored on his debut to give Middlesbrough the lead at The Riverside however a Xherdan Shaqiri free kick gave Stoke a point on the opening day to deny Boro three points on their return back to the Premier League. Not a bad start…
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero scores their first goal from a penalty as Stoke City’s Shay Given looks on
Yet it quickly got worse, and has not improved.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City put four past Mark Hughes’ men, two braces from Sergio Aguero and Nolito inflicted a damaging defeat to the Potters. Although the scoreline perhaps doesn’t suggest how the game went as Stoke were only 2-1 down with four minutes to go until summer signing Nolito got his first goals for the club.
Everton’s Leighton Baines takes a penalty that results in an own goal by Stoke City’s Shay Given
It was a narrow defeat at Goodison Park as Ronald Koeman maintained his unbeaten start as Everton boss.
Shay Given pushed Leighton Baines’ spot-kick on to a post but the ball then rebounded off Given’s head and in.
Stoke would have felt hard done by with the penalty decision, it was two weeks in a row City have been the victims of the new rule that holding in the box will be deemed as a spot kick.
The Toffees deserved the three points although moments after taking the lead Stoke could’ve equalised after Marko Arnautovic’s shot was deflected onto the bar.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their second goal with Kyle Walker
Tottenham inflicted another defeat to Stoke after the international break with Son Heung-min, Deli Alli and Harry Kane goals without reply, making it one point from four games in the league.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes was sent to the stands after acting angrily to a decision although his actions on the sideline would show you the desperation he is under to get a win under his belt before the pressure really starts to crank up.
Stoke City’s Wilfried Bony and Jonathan Walters (R) look dejected after a missed chance
Another game and another four goals shipped in for this leaky Stoke defence, Crystal Palace added more misery to Mark Hughes’ men after a 4-0 win at Selhurst Park.
The Potters are not only struggling at the back, but also up front where summer signing Wilfried Bony has failed to yet make the impact required after his loan from Manchester City, with the side only scoring three goals in their opening five matches.
Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross looks dejected
When you was hoping to take some pressure off yourself in the league, a cup run could’ve been a welcomed distraction for Stoke although they were dumped out of the EFL Cup at home to fellow Premier League Hull City in injury time.
Hughes fielded a strong side in the third round in the hope a potential win would breed confidence however Markus Henriksen goal in the 91st minute added more pressure.
West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon scores their first goal
Another goal conceded in injury time denied Hughes’ men, after West Bromwich Albion’s Solomon Rondon equalised in the 91st minute to deny The Potters their first victory of the season.
Joe Allen’s strike with 17 minutes to go seemed to be the break through Hughes has been waiting for however a near post corner delivered found the Venezuelan to head past keeper Lee Grant to make it just two points from six games.
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