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Stoke City player ratings vs Blackburn as away end falls in love with Viktor Johansson
Viktor Johansson excelled with a range of superstar saves to give Million Manhoef and Tom Cannon the chance to secure a first league away win for Narcis Pelach.
Manhoef should probably have already scored one when he broke the deadlock in the 57th minute at Blackburn, gathering a cut-back from Enda Stevens to crack into the far bottom corner.
But Johansson, who has been in outstanding recent form – bar one moment of madness in the win over Derby at the weekend – had to be at his agile best to stop from long and short range, most spectacularly to keep out Tyrhys Dolan.
READ MORE:What Stoke City hero did after full-time whistle says everything
Cannon then made the home supporters sulk to the exits when he slipped in his third goal in three games – and second penalty in two – after Bae Junho had been fouled by Danny Batth. It sealed first back-to-back league wins of the season for Stoke and for Pelach. Stoke lined up as a team to lap up the appreciation from the away end after the final whistle and Johansson was allowed a moment on his own, suitably fierce in his celebration, and he was serenaded by an increasingly adoring fan base.
The keeper had needed to be alert to stop a decent Ohashi header in the opening stages while Stoke had two big moments as the half wore on, both coming from crosses by Stevens. The first was blocked by an arm, sparking a big call for a penalty from the away end behind the goal. Ball to hand and play on, adjudged ref Andy Davies.
The second came when Stoke countered quickly after Bae Junho had been decked on the half-way line, spreading the ball left for Koumas to dash into the area. His shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Stevens to square to Manhoef, who had to score but instead pushed a shot to grateful keeper Aynsley Pears.
Stoke, meanwhile, were grateful to Johansson when he flung himself to his left to stop a well-struck long ranger from Lewis Travis at the start of the second half. It was fairly fizzing towards the bottom corner but Stoke’s number one has been gobbling long rangers up in recent weeks.
And Stoke made it count just before the hour mark. Stevens ventured down the left again and played a neat one-two with Junho before cutting it back for Manhoef, who had come across from the right to the left-centre of the box. Manhoef struck a beautifully arrowed low shot into the far corner past Pears. Manhoef might have had a second when he was slipped through by Moran.
Johansson then came to the party with two magnificent saves. He was at full stretch to tip away a long ranger from Tyrhys Dolan and then somehow flung himself at close range to pluck out a Dolan effort destined for the top corner. Even he might have been beaten by Makhtar Gueye at close range but the Blackburn sub headed into the ground and over from inside the six-yard box. Then Johansson saved well again from a Andi Weimann flash shot.
Stoke made it count. Junho turned on the edge of the box with such agility that Batth crashed into him like a bus on ice. Cannon stepped up to stroke home the resulting penalty.
Here are the player ratings from Ewood Park
Johansson: Strong first half saves to stop Yuki Ohashi and super save to stop Lewis Travis at start of second then to stop Tyrhys Dolan twice. Stoke fans are in love. 9.5
Tchamadeu: Important recovery tackle on Ryan Hedges in first half and on Ohashi in the second. Better to prevent than try to cure perhaps but he was willing and able to dash back. 7
Stevens: Two crosses led to Stoke’s biggest moments of first-half and he got forward to set up the opener for Manhoef. Linked well with Junho. 8
Phillips: Booed on return to Ewood Park and had an interesting night with Ohashi always trying to smuggle in behind. Test of discipline. 7
Gibson: Dished out a couple of rollockings or instructions and stood tall to make important blocks when Stoke were forced deeper. Heart in mouth when bouncing ball hit hand. 7
Burger: Brushed off the ball a little too easily at times and was a walking yellow card through the second half. A couple of excellent passes but also lost ball when he shouldn’t. 6
Moran: Some uncharacteristically loose touches in first half but at his best when Stoke are countering and he can help the flow on expertly. 6
Manhoef: Should have buried pass from Stevens late in first half but superbly buried cut back from left-back for opener. Might have quickly had a second but has to work on right foot. 7
Koumas: A quiet evening on the left wing and pushed off the ball a couple of times in a couple of minutes at start of second half. Still always a threat with pace but no surprise he made way. 6
Junho: Switched to central role to support Cannon and took a bit of a kicking at times. Some nice touches in tight areas – too tight for Batth. 7
Cannon: Limited opportunities but kept going and ready to take shots early. A menace on the shoulder when Stoke broke. 7
Substitutes
Seko (for Koumas, 55): Unsurprisingly used from bench as he builds up his match fitness and he was missed in first half. 6.5
Rose (for Moran, 78): An extra head in the low block to keep Blackburn at bay through the closing stages. 6
Vidigal (for Cannon, 88): Another long ranger flying over the bar as he gradually tries to find his shooting boots. 6
Ennis (for Manhoef, 88): Late cameo against old employers, throwing himself into challenges. 6
Bocat (for Junho, 88): On at the death to help Stoke get the job over the line. 6
Not used: Bonham, Thompson, Tezgel, Dixon
Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire) 5
Match rating: 7
