STOKE ARE LEFT TO RUE

ERRORS IN HOME SETBACK

- Peter Smith

STOKE City paid the price for abysmal defending inside six minutes at the start of the second half as Sheffield United completed a quickfire double over the Potters.

Strikes from Jairo Riedewald and Tom Cannon saw frustrations grow louder than at any point this season so far, culminating with Mark Robins making a near-unprecedented quadruple sub. Loan forward Divin Mubama in particular copped it from supporters who were furious at an insipid spell of play.

The changes and their much-needed energy brought Stoke back to life and Ben Wilmot scored his first goal of the season. Stoke had half chances for an equaliser and sniffed a way back as the mood changed around the stadium.

Their chances were made harder when Ben Pearson was sent off on the halfway line for what referee John Brooks deemed a professional foul on Patrick Bamford to stop a Sheff Utd counter attack.

A 2-1 defeat made for a closer game than when Stoke lost 4-0 at Bramall Lane early in December but Stoke continue to lose ground on those around them in the Championship and have to find a way to turn their results around before the chances of this season slip over the horizon.