NO WAY BACK AFTER WORST

POSSIBLE START FOR STOKE

- Peter Smith

A STUNNING second-minute goal from Jaden Philogene condemned Stoke to defeat in a tight game at Ipswich.

The former Stoke loan forward found the top right corner from 25 yards after cutting in from the left to make it seven goals for the season as he emerges as a key man in Ipswich’s bid for an immediate Premier League return.

Stoke had good opportunities to equalise through Bae Junho, Maksym Talovierov and Sorba Thomas but couldn’t find a way past Christian Walton while Ivan Azon badly missed a sitter when Viktor Johansson was off his line.

Stoke sub Sam Gallagher fluffed an excellent chance to level immediately after coming off the bench when he couldn’t control a cross. Johansson saved well to stop Marcelino Nunez on an Ipswich breakaway.

Stoke kept searching for way back level and were applauded off by the away end despite now losing five out of the last six.

Mark Robins had made four changes to his starting lineup, bringing in summer signing Talovierov for his first league start at centre-half and giving Lamine Cisse the nod on the wing.

Ashley Phillips missed out through suspension while Million Manhoef dropped to the bench.