Swansea City 1-3 Stoke City: Potters inflict disappointing defeat on Russell Martin’s side

By Mackenzie Thomas

Stoke City ended their run of three straight Championship away defeats as Josh Laurent helped them secure a 3-1 victory at Swansea.com Stadium. 

Morgan Whittaker gave the home side the lead inside 98 seconds, before the Potters captain opened his league account with two quick-fire first half goals.

Lewis Baker then grabbed a third goal in injury time to ease Alex Neil’s side’s relegation worries and secure their first away league win on the road since December 17.

Following what was a disappointing defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon, manager Russell Martin made three changes to his side with Matty Sorinola, Ollie Cooper and Whittaker all returning to the starting XI.

Whittaker made his first league start for the club since May 2021 while wing-back Sorinola was preferred to Joel Latibeaudiere in attack. Wales manager Robert Page also watched on ahead of next month’s Euro 2024 Qualifiers, with a potential midfield spot up for grabs for Swansea City academy graduate Cooper.

It was the Swans who made an assertive start to proceedings in South Wales, netting the opening goal inside the first two minutes. Sorinola’s lofted pass was met by Whittaker, who returning to the side for the first time following his loan move from Plymouth Argyle, made no mistake by poking the ball past the advancing Matija Šarkić.

Minutes later, Ryan Manning went close with a promising effort after his looping free-kick fired narrowly wide of the Stoke City net.

In the 15^th minute, though, it was the visitors who struck back in the contest through midfielder Laurent. Following a goal-line scramble inside the six-yard box, he showed great composure to stab his effort beyond the reach of Andy Fisher to draw the sides level.

And four minutes later Laurent sent the visiting supporters into jubilation again after Tyrese Campbell picked out the 27-year-old. Unmarked inside the City box, he guided a superb solo strike into the far top corner.

After the restart, Joel Piroe forced Šarkić into a strong diving save, while Manning also went close as the home side looked for a way back into the game.

In a bid to change things offensively, Martin made a tactical switch midway through the first half, withdrawing central defender Harry Darling for midfielder Olivier Ntcham as his side reverted to a back four.

The change, however, seemed to have little effect as Fisher had to twice deny Dwight Gayle with an instinctive double save from point-blank range just before the break.

In the second half, Martin’s side were allowed to take control of territory and possession as the away side sat deep, though chances were limited at both ends of the field.

Swansea’s clearest sight of goal came from Piroe on 53 minutes, when a slick attacking move starting from front to back saw the Dutch forward present himself with a shooting chance. The linesman’s flag however denied him a goalscoring opportunity.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Fisher had to be alert to deny a cross-shot from substitute Jordan Thompson, shortly before Šarkić had to deny Piroe yet again from distance.

With the Swans pushing men forward in search of a late equaliser, the Potters added their third goal and settled any nerves in injury time. A blistering counter-attack from Jordan Brown saw him tee up substitute Baker, who buried his first-time effort beyond the outstretched Fisher to secure the points.

The result sees Stoke move up to 17^th spot, while Swansea remain 12^th.