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Stoke City player ratings v QPR as Tom Cannon continues red-hot form
A youthful Stoke City added another point to their Championship tally on Saturday against a Queens Park Rangers outfit who are fighting for their second tier status. The spoils were shared after Tom Cannon's pearler in the first half opened the scoring - his fourth goal in five games - but Ben Gibson's inadvertant own goal after the hour mark meant a stalemate. Zan Celar also missed a penalty for the hosts on an afternoon full of talking points.
Narcis Pelach made three changes to his starting XI, two of them enforced with Wouter Burger suspended and Andrew Moran reporting ill overnight. Sol Sidibe and Lewis Koumas were summoned, as was Ben Wilmot, who was given the nod over Junior Tchamadeu at right-back. The average age of the starting XI was 22 years and nine months, a side named by one of the youngest head coaches in the division.
Stoke were under the cosh a little early doors and Hoops winger Paul Smyth was invited to try his luck from distance on two separate occasions, although both times the ball was caught by a supporter in the home end behind Viktor Johansson's goal. Stoke's first sniff of a chance came when Bae Junho returned a half-cleared corner, but keeper Paul Nardi took the ball out of reach of Gibson.
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Nardi could do nothing about the opening goal. Eric Bocat won the ball high on the left and offloaded to Cannon, who was 20 yards out but was afforded the time and space to lift the ball over the home keeper with a beautiful curling strike, before he peeled away to celebrate with the visiting dug-out. The smiles were almost instantly wiped off their faces, though.
Bocat allowed Smyth to get goal-side and when he bundled the Northern Irish international over, referee Gavin Ward quickly pointed to the spot. Towering centre forward Zan Celar sent Johansson - who had swiftly before denied Koki Saito from close range - the wrong way, but he planted his effort past the post. Nardi then kept Million Manhoef at bay right before half time.
QPR continued to pour forwards at the beginning of the second half, although Nardi kept at bay both Cannon and Junho in the same move, and they were rewarded for their efforts when a corner bounced off the unfortunate Gibson and beat Johansson, who otherwise was in inspired form.
Both Cannon and Rangers substitute Alfie Lloyd hit the post in a frantic second half, during which both sides went close to snatching the third and decisive goal. Indeed Stoke thought they had done when Bae Junho burst forwards, wriggled away from a couple of challenges and planted a powerful strike into the bottom corner, only for referee Ward to pull the play back - much to the derision of all associated with the visitors.
Stoke City player ratings v QPR
Johansson 7
Made a big save in the immediate aftermath of Cannon's opener to deny Koki Saito. He then was equal to Niclas Madsen's header at the back post before half time. Another crucial contribution in the second half too.
Wilmot 6
Made one very important recovery to repel Celar at the back post as he prepared to pull the trigger. Had his hands full with the impressive Saito but applied himself well, having come back into the side to bring a little more experience for a young team.
Phillips 7
The young defender made a big impact in the first half. Showed composure and stood up to the task well as QPR poured forwards at the end of both halves. Aerially dominant and kept his cool when under pressure.
Gibson 6
The senior citizen of the side. So close to opening the scoring himself before Cannon eventually did - he has a taste for goals at the moment, although the manner of the equaliser was something he couldn't have helped. Big block inside the box to keep Smyth at bay early doors.
Bocat 6.5
Set aside the unfortunate manner in which he conceded the penalty, Bocat was a bright spark in the first half, not only teeing up Cannon for his goal but also offering plenty of energy down the left. He was caught upfield on occasion, though.
Seko 6.5
Decent showing from Seko, who was the senior man in the middle in the absence of Burger. Had to get through plenty of work in the middle alongside Sidibe, with who he combined once or twice. Almost created a chance for Gibson in the first half. Dropped deep to take the ball and relieve pressure.
Sidibe 6.5
Neat and tidy early on, during which time he demonstrated his athleticism and eye for a pass. QPR began to get on top either side of Cannon's goal and Sidibe, well backed by the away end, showed positive signs of maturity and grit.
Manhoef 5
At his most dangerous when Stoke can get him one v one with his man and he can cut inside from the right, but Stoke were only able to do that a couple of times and Nardi kept him out at any rate. Not at his influential best.
Koumas 6
Earnest showing from young Koumas, recalled to the starting XI. Operated on the left and had the physical Jimmy Dunne to contend with, which was often a thankless task as he tried to spin away with his pace. Worked as hard as anyone off the ball.
Junho 6
Caused a limited number of problems in the first half but it was tricky for Junho to affect the play over the course of the afternoon with the conditions and with QPR's approach to the game. Thought he'd won it with a stunner before the play was pulled back.
Cannon 8
What a fabulous goal to open the scoring, the kind that when you're in the form he's in you'll fancy yourself to hit the target. Wonderful goal and was almost on the score-sheet again in the second half but for a super save from Nardi. Away fans sang 'sign him up'.
Substitutes
Tezgel (for Koumas 72) 5
The young attacker was quiet after being introduced with under 20 to play, in what was admittedly a bit of a basketball match towards the end.
Thompson (for Sidibe 75)
Rose (for Manhoef 90)
Substitutes not used: Bonham, Stevens, Tchamadeu, Dixon, Vidigal, Ennis
Queens Park Rangers: Nardi, Dunne, Cook, Morrison (Fox 77), Ashby, Smyth (Paal 71), Saito, Madsen (Morgan 61), Field (Andersen 77), Varane, Celar (Lloyd 61)
Substitutes not used: Walsh, Santos, Dixon-Bonner, Bennie
GOALS
QPR - Gibson OG 62; Stoke - Cannon 24
The ref: Gavin Ward
Attendance: 15,688 (1,740 away)
Up next: Preston North End (H) - Tuesday 26 November, 7:45pm kick off
