A man-of-the match display from Joe Allen, plus a double strike for Wilfried Bony, gave Stoke City a 3-1 victory over Swansea City in the Premier League’s final game of the weekend. We review the performances of Mark Hughes’ line-up.
Lee Grant (7/10) – After back-to-back clean sheets for the 33-year-old, Grant conceded an early Wayne Routledge equaliser in the eighth minute – but made amends with an important save to deny Routledge just before the interval.
Phil Bardsley (5/10) – Poor defending to allow the diminutive Routledge to score his headed goal. Bardsley was Stoke’s most disappointing performer. The tragic loss of his grandfather last week may have been a contributor.
Ryan Shawcross (8/10) – Stoke’s captain was at his usual dependable self and, alongside Martins-Indi, kept Swansea’s Fernando Llorente quiet throughout. An outstanding covering challenge mid-way through the second half prevented Swansea from threatening Grant’s goal.
Swansea City’s Fernando Llorente in action with Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross
Bruno Martins-Indi (7/10) – Organised Stoke’s back-line with Shawcross. The Dutch international, on loan from FC Porto, has developed a strong partnership with his captain and has been a significant contributor to Stoke’s recent improvements.
Erik Pieters (5/10) – Defensively stable – with the exception of clumsy foul on Routledge on the edge of the penalty area – and got forward to support Stoke’s attacks well. Unfortunately for the likes of Arnautovic and Bony, Pieters’ end product let the Dutchman down on too many occasions.
Glenn Whelan (6/10) – The absence of communication with team mate Martins-Indi in the lead up to Swansea’s equalising goal was crucial. The Irishman worked hard but lacked that touch of quality that may have helped the midfielder influence the game more than he did.
Charlie Adam (7/10) – Drafted into the starting line-up due to Geoff Cameron’s injury, the former Liverpool midfielder enjoyed an impressive return to first team action – including hitting both posts from two typically long range efforts in the first half.
Xherdan Shaqiri (6/10) – After some fantastic recent form, Shaqiri was withdrawn from the game mid-way through the first half due to injury. Replaced by Ramadan Sobhi (8/10), whose trickery was instrumental in Alfie Mawson’s own-goal that gave Stoke a 2-1 lead. Every time the Egyptian received the ball in the second half Stoke came alive. An exciting option for manager Mark Hughes to possess.
Stoke City’s Joe Allen in action with Swansea City’s Ki Sung Yueng
Joe Allen (9/10) – Technically attributed with an assist for Bony’s first goal in twenty games, albeit via a misplaced attempt at goal. Allen is currently revelling in a more advanced midfield role and – again – was one of Stoke’s standout performers, alongside Adam and Sobhi, with an array of penetrating forward passes and a further assist for Bony’s brace.
Marko Arnautovic (8/10) – The Austrian international should have scored towards the end of the first half but, after rounding the goalkeeper, Arnautovic’s shot became the third time that Stoke hit the work work in the opening 45. Stoke’s number 10 is a class act and showed it throughout the encounter by providing Bony with many opportunities to strike. Picked up his fifth booking of the season before being substituted for Peter Crouch, and his suspension will be a loss to Stoke.
Stoke City’s Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring their third goal with Ramadan Sobhi
Wilfried Bony (8/10) – Remained alert to the situation to direct Allen’s scuffed shot into the Swansea net after three minutes of the game, to end his twenty game barren-run. Bony’s first goal since December 2015 was followed by his second in the 73rd minute, as the Ivorian converted another Allen assist against his former club. Stoke will be hoping that Bony will use this game as a catalyst for much greater improvement from the ex-Manchester City forward. Replaced by Jonathan Walters (6/10) in the 76th minute.
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