Stoke City produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Sheffield United 2-1 at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. Jack McGlynn and substitute Sam Gallagher scored in the 78th and 86th minutes to overturn a stunning free-kick from Kalvin Phillips.
The victory lifts Stoke to 13th in the Championship table with 10 points from seven games. It extends their impressive recent form to four wins and a draw from their last five league outings, a run that includes wins over Watford, Charlton and Norwich.
Phillips had given the visitors the lead with a long-range free-kick in the 51st minute, his first league goal in over five years. Stoke responded with sustained pressure, with Eric Bocat and Djibril Soumare testing goalkeeper Michael Cooper. The equaliser finally arrived when Junior Tchamadeu set up Jack McGlynn, who fired home for his second goal in consecutive matches.
With momentum firmly on their side, Stoke completed the turnaround eight minutes later. Ethan Galbraith, the club's top scorer this season with three goals, provided the assist for Sam Gallagher to head in the winner. Gallagher had only just entered the fray as a substitute.
Sheffield United, backed by 1,939 travelling fans, could not find a second equaliser. Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson ensured the three points remained in the Potteries with a composed performance.
The result continues a strong start to the campaign under manager Mark Robins. Stoke now look ahead to their next Championship fixture, an away trip to face 20th-placed Bolton on 10 October. The first-team squad list, including the sidelined Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah and Junior Tchamadeu, is available on the squad page.
The original report is at Sky Sports Football
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder attributed the defeat to the quality of Stoke's goals. He said, "When two players whack in goals from 30 yards then it’s nothing to do with our quality." Stoke's winning run now stands at two games, following the 2-1 victory over Sheffield United. Mark Robins praised the strikes, calling Sam Gallagher's winner "one of the best goals I’ve ever seen." The Potters have scored 11 goals this season, with Ethan Galbraith their top scorer on three.
Jack McGlynn's goal against Sheffield United was his second in consecutive matches, but the club confirmed his first for Stoke came in his first start the previous week. The midfielder, who joined from Houston Dynamo on September 1, scored in the 45+4th minute of the 2-1 win at Watford on September 12. The victory extended Stoke's recent form to four wins and a draw from their last five league games. The club's injury list now includes Sam Gallagher, who scored the winner against Sheffield United.
Mark Robins praised his side's quality after the comeback win, stating the goals were worthy of victory. The Stoke manager said, "If those goals don't deserve to win a football match, then I don't know what level of quality does." The result lifts Stoke to 6th in the Championship with 13 points from eight games. The club has now scored 13 goals this season, with Ethan Galbraith their top scorer on three.
