STOKE CITY MIDDLESBROUGH 2
0
STOKE
Despite enjoying retirement in Cornwall with wife Sharon which has involved tending to the garden and the odd fishing trip, the SOS call from Boro was one the 71-year-old just couldn’t resist. The impact was immediate and effective – the Teessiders’ looking a completely different proposition than the bedraggled outfit that had lost 3-0 at home to Swansea last week that cost Jonathan Woodgate his job. Never mind labelling himself Red Adair, King Midas wouldn’t be out of place as he
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock said: “I’m just glad to be back in football. It’s what I do and love.
“I’ve missed the banter in the dressing room.
“A day like this is so rewarding. Even though these settled in at his 17th club. Certainly yesterday everything turned to gold as his side leapt over Stoke in the battle to remain in the Championship.
Incredibly the much-travelled septuagenarian hasn’t lost a first game for a new club since 1997 with Oldham.
For Stoke boss Michael O’neill, who had Nick Powell sent off following two yellow card rash challenges in the space of two minues, these are worrying times.
Just a ripple of polite applause from the man himself busily patrolling the technical area heralded the first goal of the Warnock era.
Even before Ashley Fletcher struck after 28 minutes there had been flashes of attacking promise from his new charges, the same player and Britt Assombalonga going close in a spirited start from the visitors.
When Patrick Roberts floated in a dangerous free-kick the lively Fletcher
are difficult times for the club I’ve only had three days working with them but I think they have enjoyed it.
“We deserved this win, it was a great team performance.” moved in for the kill, leaping above his markers to head home his 11th goal of the season from eight yards.
Cue the unstated celebration from the man who couldn’t resist another challenge after seven months away.
Within 60 seconds of sending on Marcus Tavernier in the 62nd minute, the little winger rewarded Warnock by cutting in from the right to beat keeper Jack Butland with a left-foot strike.
For Warnock, flanked by his loyal aides Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson, it was business as usual.
Potters boss Michael O’neill said: “We just made things too difficult for ourselves too often.
“We knew what to expect from Neil’s team beforehand but we struggled to deal with them. We conceded too many free-kicks and then missed a number of gilt-edged chances to equalise either side of halftime.
“We then gave away a poor goal and you’re chasing it at 2-0 behind.”