Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd: stoke city vs oxford utd — Potters put another dent in U's survival bid
stoke city vs oxford utd finished 2-1 as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi restored Stoke's lead early in the second half. Rak-Sakyi, 23 and on loan from Crystal Palace, grabbed what was described as the winner in the 56th minute, with an alternate timing of 57 minutes also noted, and it was his first goal for Stoke.
Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd match facts
The match at the bet365 Stadium finished 2-1 to the hosts. Attendance was 20, 153. The result eased pressure on Stoke, who are seven points shy of the play-off places, and dealt a further blow to Oxford, who are six points adrift of safety, with West Brom in 21st place. The win completed the league double over relegation-threatened Oxford and gave Stoke their first home Championship success since December 13 while ending a seven-match winless league run.
How the goals were scored
The opening goal arrived on 37 minutes after a swift move when Million Manhoef played in Lamine Cisse, who converted sweetly past Jamie Cumming, beating him from 18 yards; it was Cisse's maiden league goal for the Potters and came at his 24th attempt. Oxford pegged Stoke back on the stroke of half-time when Will Vaulks chipped into the box, Stanley Mills headed across the face of goal and Ciaron Brown volleyed home from eight yards to make it 1-1. Early in the second half Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was at the far post to head home following a delicate left-wing cross from Sorba Thomas — Thomas' cross credited as his eighth assist of the campaign — restoring the lead three minutes after Oxford had come close to a second from a Will Lankshear backheel on a Cameron Brannagan free-kick that hit the crossbar.
Key moments and chances
Stoke started brightly. Goalkeeper Tommy Simkin's 60-yard kick upfield picked out Million Manhoef, and a 12th-minute pass from Simkin through the middle set up Manhoef to find Rak-Sakyi; Rak-Sakyi fired a low shot at Jamie Cumming. Five minutes later Cumming was forced into action again to deny Eric Bocat's low drive. Sorba Thomas tested his luck with a 20th-minute shot that flew wide, and Oxford's first sight of goal came on 25 minutes when Spurs loanee Will Lankshear's shot from the edge of the area was gathered by Simkin. Manhoef curled a left-footed effort narrowly wide with Cumming stranded, and Stanley Mills fired wide after a powerful run on the break. Later in the game Cisse could only watch in anguish 18 minutes from the end as his looping attempt was cleared away by Vaulks.
Build-up to Cisse's goal
Defending an Oxford long throw on the edge of their own box, Tomas Rigo and Million Manhoef combined to give Lamine Cisse a clear run on goal, which the Frenchman took, finishing past Jamie Cumming to give Stoke the initial lead.
Manager reaction and quotes
Stoke City manager Mark Robins said he was pleased with the performance and result. He said he was "immensely" pleased and praised the supporters for sticking by the team and helping get the result over the line. Robins noted the difficulty of breaking down an opponent set up with a low block or a mid block and said the team knew how they had to play, adding that he thought they "got the balance almost spot on. " He said the only disappointment was the defending on the set-play and that they "allowed them back into the game when we should have been one, two or three up by that stage. "
Rak-Sakyi, a 23-year-old on loan from Crystal Palace who began the season in Turkey and who has played for Charlton and Sheffield United in the past, scored his first Stoke goal to seal the victory. The match also featured references to Oakford's manager Matt Bloomfield's side and to Will Lankshear as a Spurs loanee.
stoke city vs oxford utd encapsulated a busy evening: key saves from Jamie Cumming, a woodwork strike by Will Lankshear, a decisive assist from Sorba Thomas and a winning header by Rak-Sakyi that completed the double over Oxford.
Closing: Stoke left the bet365 Stadium with a 2-1 win, a return to victory at home since December 13, and a respite from immediate relegation worries; Oxford remain in a precarious position in the table.
