STOKE EASE TO WIN AGAINST 'CRISIS CLUB'

JESURUN Rak-Sakyi and Lamine Cisse eased Stoke City to a comfortable home win over crisis club Sheffield Wednesday.

- Peter Smith

Lamine Cisse celebrates scoring the decisive second goal

Stoke dominated possession for large parts against a side that is already relegated, hadn't won in their previous 33 matches and, for long spells, looked like it.

Rak-Sakyi, who had been getting stick as a former Sheffield United player, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal from Sorba Thomas's cross midway through the first half.

Cisse wrapped things up midway inside the second-half when he was lurking in the right place to pounce on a rebound.

Stoke sat deep through the closing stages, content to make sure they got back-to-back home wins over the line for the first time since November and a first clean sheet since a draw with West Brom back in early February.

They got the three points they were well fancied to get, and can now turn their attention to a trip to Derby County and a sterner test ahead on Easter Monday.

Mark Robins had made six changes, bringing back Gavin Bazunu and Bosun Lawal after long-term injuries. Aaron Cresswell returned too as well as Tatsuki Seko, Rak-Sakyi and Cisse.

It meant a shift to a back three, where Cresswell and Lawal joined Ash Phillips. Million Manhoef pushed close to Cisse up front while Thomas started on the right of midfield.