Stoke City player ratings vs Hull as Andrew Moran earns priceless first win for Mark Robins
Ali Al-Hamadi and Andrew Moran found the net as Stoke City came from behind to beat Hull and earn a priceless first league win under Mark Robins.
Stoke seemed up against it in the fifth minute when sloppy defending let Eliot Matazo free at the back post to put the home side in front.
But Al-Hamadi cracked in an equaliser just before half-time on his debut and Josh Wilson-Esbrand should have put the Potters in front straight after the break. Moran then came off the bench and brilliantly steered in a fierce centre from Lewis Koumas to give Stoke a 2-1 lead. It was the first time Stoke had scored twice in 10 matches as they chased a first away league win since early November – and only their second league win since then.
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Stoke worked furiously hard to see the result over the line, with Viktor Johansson chipping in with some excellent goalkeeping along the way, and it is a vital three points into the bargain against a team that was only above them on goal difference.
Stoke actually started brightly in the very early stages, although Junho’s shot which hit Al-Hamadi was the closest they came to that threat. And it was Hull who took the lead with their first shot of the afternoon, from their first corner. The corner was worked short by Matazo and Lynden Gooch was beaten at the back post by Sean McLoughlin, who knocked it back across for Matazo to steer in as Lowe and Enda Stevens were trying to make the block.
A short break in play after Lowe took a whack gave Stoke a chance to reorganise slightly and try to settle things down – although there was soon more reorganisation needed because Gooch was limping off to be replaced by Tchamadeu while Viktor Johansson also needed physio treatment after feeling his hamstring after racing out of the box to deal with a looping pass.
Wilson-Esbrand put Cody Drameh on his backside with some skill before pulling back for Junho to lash wildly over before Tchamadeu bulldozed into the box to earn a corner. Rose couldn’t get his head on the delivery but Hull couldn’t clear and Seko’s subsequent deep cross was misread by Alfie Jones while Al-Hamadi sneaked free of Drameh to smash past Ivor Pandur for the equaliser.
Al-Hamadi made a bright start to the second half too and he raced in from the right to set up Wilson-Esbrand to surely put Stoke 2-1 up – except Drameh somehow sneaked in to get the vital touch under the crossbar to whack it clear.
Johansson had to dive to his left to keep out a well-struck long ranger from Joao Pedro and Hull tried another couple of hopeful hits which the keeper was comfortable watching land in the stand behind him. He tipped a McLoughlin header over the bar too.
But it was Stoke who got the all-important next goal. Stevens dipped a cross from narrow left to the back post, where Koumas seemed to slice a shot – but it went to Moran to take a sublime touch to control and set himself up for a shot past Pandur, wheeling away to celebrate in front of the 1,800 travelling fans packed in the corner.
Koumas might have added a third when he broke away down the left and into the box but his low shot was saved by Pandur. Phillips had to stand tall to block a shot from Louie Barry and Johansson saved expertly from McLoughlin. They were all celebrating in front of the away end soon enough.
Here are the player ratings from the MKM Stadium:
Johansson: Some excellent stops, including one flying to his left to keep out Joao Pedro at start of second half. Always alert and ready to take responsibility. 8.5
Gooch: From left wing to right-back. Had a difficult opening spell against Gelhardt but just seemed to be settling when he was forced off with injury. 6
Stevens: A couple of wayward crosses when he got into useful positions up the left but he picked one out for Stoke’s second. Given some proper defending to do at the other end. 7
Phillips: Tested by Hull movement in the first half. Relieved when no penalty was given after Gelhardt ran into him. Stood tall through closing stages. 7
Rose: One of Stoke’s better or more willing headers of the ball and useful at attacking set-pieces. Had his hands full at times with Joao Pedro. Defended well through second-half. 7
Seko: Too easily pushed off the ball at times but a couple of terrific passes out to find Wilson-Esbrand and crosses, one of which led to the Al-Hamadi goal. Got stuck in. 7
Burger: Let Hull have too much space in front of Stoke’s centre-backs in first half. Looked like he was trying to direct or correct things a little as side was stretched and found another gear. 7
Junho: Recalled to starting XI on the right. Decision making in his own half can sometimes give Stoke fans palpitations. But he has skill and Stoke will need him to impact games. 6.5
Wilson-Esbrand: Moved onto the left wing and looked like needing a good squirt of WD40 at times but put crosses in, left Drameh on his backside at one point and got into a position where he should have buried at close range. 6.5
Lowe: Such a willing runner, he’s putting in big shifts. Stoke could do with him getting ore touches in the area. 7
Al-Hamadi: Goal on his debut and he got himself into good positions. Worked his socks off and showed hints of much-needed aggression. 7.5
Substitutes
Tchamadeu (for Gooch, 30): Made a positive difference with his willingness to belt forward down the right. Brilliant energy and commitment at times. 8
Koumas (for Wilson-Esbrand, 60): Not sure if he meant it but set up Moran for Stoke’s second. 7
Moran (for Al-Hamadi, 60): Superb touch and finish for his fourth goal of the season. 8
Tezgel (for Burger, 84): Fresh legs to give Stoke an outlet in the last few minutes. 6
Not used: Bonham, Vidigal, Lawal, Gibson, Lipsiuc.
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