Dale downed by Allen brace

GIVEN the Stoke armband for the first time, Joe Allen summoned a captain’s display to beat Rochdale. The Welshman scored one, set up another, then scored again to make this a straightforward evening for Mark Hughes’s side. Swansea had expressed interest in Allen but Hughes never entertained the idea and this was evidence why. Allen headed in Erik Pieters’ cross before setting up for Peter Crouch. It was the first time the Welshman had scored and assisted in a game. Another goal arrived before the break, when Bojan found Pieters, and Allen converted the square ball. Ramadan added a fourth late on with a clever finish after running clear. Hughes said: ‘We are pleased with the night’s proceedings. We never had any real moments of anxiety.’