'THEY'VE BEATEN A REALLY GOOD TEAM IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD'

Robins 'delighted' as Stoke maintain perfect start with a win at promotion favourites Southampton

- Peter Smith

MARK Robins hailed an outstanding performance as Stoke City won at Southampton to make it nine points out of nine to start the season - even after playing for more than half an hour with 10 men.

Robins thought Stoke were good value for their lead when they made a breakthrough in the 54th minute through Lewis Baker.

Five minutes later, their job was made more difficult when Divin Mubama was accused of diving and shown a second yellow card.

But Sorba Thomas doubled the lead with a well-taken goal on a counterattack and, although Taylor Harwood-Bellis pulled a goal back, Stoke saw the game through to send their 1,900-odd travelling supporters into party mood.

“I thought it was a brilliant game,” said Robins. “I thought we were really good. With 11 players I thought we were really good and looked a real threat.

“The transitions we spoke about were going to be important today and how we managed the game and how we managed when we gave the ball away and had to win it back.

“They've got good players. I said before the game that the depth of their squad is a joke for the Championship.