Stoke City's late surge secured a vital 2-1 Championship victory at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, moving them level on goal difference with the automatic promotion places. Jack McGlynn's clever first-half free-kick and a late Andri Gudjohnsen strike earned the three points after a dramatic finish at Ewood Park.
The win marks Stoke's eighth victory in eleven games, a run of form that has propelled them to seventh in the table on 23 points. They now sit just five points behind leaders Middlesbrough, with the gap to second-placed Birmingham erased on goal difference. This result extends their current winning run to two matches and keeps them firmly in the playoff hunt.
McGlynn broke the deadlock just before half-time with an audacious set-piece from a wide left position, curling the ball beyond the goalkeeper for his fourth goal of the campaign. The lead was doubled in the 68th minute in fortuitous circumstances, as a saved effort from Million Manhoef led to a defensive mix-up, with the ball eventually rebounding off Blackburn substitute Moussa Baradji and into the net.
Blackburn fought back and pulled a goal back through Gady Beyuku in the 73rd minute, setting up a nervy finale. The home side then thought they had salvaged a point when Gudjohnsen powered in a header from a Beyuku cross with three minutes of normal time remaining. That goal was controversially ruled out by the officials for a foul in the build-up.
However, the Icelandic forward did get on the scoresheet moments later. In the 87th minute, he pounced on a rebound from a Sam Morsy shot that Blackburn goalkeeper Viktor Johansson could not hold, tapping in for his ninth goal of the season to restore Stoke's lead.
Stoke held firm in the closing stages, with Johansson again proving key for the visitors. The Swedish goalkeeper had produced a stunning early save to deny Todd Cantwell, echoing his heroics in this fixture last season. He was called into action late on to preserve the lead, making a key stop from a Blackburn corner in added time.
The team's defensive resilience, combined with their ability to score at key moments, was the foundation of this important away win. Steven Schumacher's side now turn their attention to a tough away trip to face Portsmouth this Saturday. Fans can view the full fixtures schedule as the Potters look to maintain their momentum in a congested promotion race.
The original report is at Sky Sports Football
