Stoke City delivered a stunning blow to Sunderland’s promotion ambitions with a dramatic 1-0 home win at the bet365 Stadium. Tom Cannon’s goal deep into stoppage time ended the Potters’ agonizing 10-game winless streak in the Championship and lifted them four points clear of the drop zone.
Under the caretaker guidance of club legend Ryan Shawcross following Friday’s sacking of Narcís Pelach, Stoke rode their luck at times against the high-flying Black Cats. But an inspired display from keeper Viktor Johansson, who made a string of superb saves, kept them level before Cannon’s late heroics.
Shawcross Celebrates First Win at Helm
The win sparked wild celebrations from interim boss Shawcross, who was thrilled with his side’s fighting spirit against strong opposition. “We rode our luck at times, but I knew that was going to happen,” he admitted post-match.
I wanted us to press, I wanted us to get after the ball and I knew if we got it slightly wrong, they would cut through us, which they did because they’re a really good team … The fans have always been great to me and when you give them something to look on and understand what you’re trying to do, they get behind you.
– Ryan Shawcross, Stoke City Caretaker Manager
More Misery for Rooney’s Pilgrims
Elsewhere, pressure continued to mount on Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney after a 2-0 defeat at Oxford made it 11 losses in 13 away games for the rock-bottom Pilgrims. Second half goals from Ciaron Brown and Przemyslaw Placheta secured a second straight win for new U’s boss Gary Rowett.
The result provoked chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from both sets of fans towards the embattled Rooney. “You have to look at every possible outcome, that’s normal with the results we’re going through,” the former England striker conceded.
Setbacks for Promotion Hopefuls
Promotion chasers Blackburn and Watford both suffered damaging home losses to dent their top-six aspirations. Ryan Longman’s strike gave Hull a 1-0 win at Ewood Park – Rovers’ third game with only one point. The Hornets, meanwhile, went down 2-1 to Cardiff despite Giorgi Chakvetadze cancelling out Callum Robinson’s early opener.
Bristol City Cruise, Swansea Strike Late
In other action, Bristol City eased past Portsmouth 3-0 with Anis Mehmeti netting twice and Rob Dickie also scoring. But Pompey, now just two points above the bottom three, have lost two in a row.
Swansea left it late to see off 10-man Luton 2-1 at home. After Carlton Morris’ opener was equalized by Gonçalo Franco, the Hatters had Joe Johnson dismissed before Myles Peart-Harris headed a 91st-minute winner for the Swans.
The Championship now breaks for FA Cup action next weekend before a full league program resumes on Saturday, January 11.
