DON’T HAVE ANOTHER JESE FIT
Stoke stars say they must stay united or pay the penalty
STOKE are showing fight – it’s just a pity it’s over who takes penalties.
Jese had to be restrained by his team-mates when he tried to grab the ball from Charlie Adam to take Stoke’s late spotkick.
Jese felt he was entitled to assume responsibility because he won the penalty when Dale Stephens was dubiously adjudged to have pushed him. Adam added to the discord when he missed in what could be a seasondefining moment for Stoke. Skipper Ryan Shawcross was unimpressed and branded the spat “childish”. “There seems to be some confusion over who takes the penalties,” he said tersely. “The gaffer has told us in no uncertain terms, it won’t happen again.
“It’s difficult in those circumstances, but we are professional athletes and it’s a bit childish, to be honest.”
The bust-up does not suggest a united dressing room and this was Jese’s first senior appearance since storming off in a huff when he was unused against Swansea in December.
Erik Pieters felt any criticism of the on-loan Spanish striker should be put in the context of his personal problems.
Jese is still returning home regularly to Gran Canaria to see his sick son Nyan, who was born prematurely in June, and announced a fortnight ago that he had split from partner Aurah Ruiz.
“Don’t forget this guy is having a tough season,” said Pieters. “I don’t have to go into details. The moment there is a penalty and a striker can score, you want to score. I completely understand.
“It’s gone a little bit too far, but emotion is part of the game.”
Boss Paul Lambert (above) must pick his players up from this kick in the nether regions after they blew the chance to climb out of the relegation zone.
“I think we lost two points,” said Pieters. “You can talk and say, ‘We’re going to be OK, we’re going to be OK’.
“The moment we are out of the relegation zone and safe, then we can say it’s over. I could make a beautiful story for you guys, but we have to get out of this ourselves.” Worryingly for Lambert, Stoke’s poor first-half display was a return to the bad old days at the end of Mark Hughes’ reign.
Xherdan Shaqiri did not track back for Jose Izquierdo’s excellent opener, although he made amends when he curled home the equaliser.
Then came the penalty drama in the final minute when Mat Ryan saved Adam’s effort and Lewis Dunk made a goal-saving challenge on the Scot as he dallied over the rebound.
Ryan denied Adam direct from the corner and Brighton boss Chris Hughton hailed his goalkeeping coach for recommending he sign the Australian from Valencia last summer.
“Credit my goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts,” said Hughton. “He’s the one who went to see him, who watched hours and hours of video.
“He thought he was right for us and you have to have faith in your staff.”