Osaze Returns, But Can’t Save Stoke From Defeat

Osaze Returns, But Can’t Save Stoke From Defeat

Osaze Odemwiengie returns from a long term injury and got in on the action in the 80th minute but could not help 10-man Stoke City avoid defeat at Swansea.

Stoke City’s forward and Nigerian international Victor Moses was not listed for the match as he continues to recuperate from an injury that is likely to keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

Swansea continue their good form against the Potters having been unbeaten in their last six home games against Stoke, claiming 5 wins and a draw.

The first half ended goalless but the Swans raised the tempo of the game and their pressure paid off as Montero dived to head in Jonjo Shelvey‘s cross.

Stoke boss, Mark Hughes sent on Nigerian striker Peter Odemwiengie in a bid to try and salvage at least a point from the game but Stoke’s Marc Wilson received a second yellow card for bringing down Montero and was sent off late on. Shortly after, Ki Sung-Yueng scored Swansea’s second.

In the absence of Osaze and Moses, Stoke manager Mark Hughes was not impressed with the overall performances of his lads.

 “We allowed the game to drift away from us. We haven’t stopped crosses coming in, and we have to be better than that. The first goal was the one that hurt us. We’ve lost the first goal too often this year.
“I don’t think there was any issue with desire, but we just didn’t have enough quality in key areas to take the game away from Swansea. We know where we need to improve.”

It was the first time Swansea kept a clean sheet in eight Premier League games at Liberty Stadium.
Stoke meanwhile drops to 10th on the EPL table have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches with three games left to play this season.