Offside goal is gift from the gods for Rowett

STOKE 1 SWANSEA 0

Stoke City’S Welsh international Joe allen scored a controversial winner against his former side which manager Gary rowett called a ‘gift from heaven’. allen, who played for Swansea until joining liverpool in 2012, struck from an offside position eight yards from goal when Thomas ince’s shot bounced off Benik afobe into his path. Hesitating Swansea defenders were clearly expecting the assistant’s flag to be raised as allen slotted home and their manager Graham Potter said: ‘it felt a bit strange at the time and looking back it’s an obvious one. ‘it is part of football. These mistakes happen. i wouldn’t be the first guy to moan about an offside decision.’ even rowett couldn’t disagree. ‘i’d call it a gift from heaven because looking back it was offside,’ he said. ‘Having said that, we created the three best chances and were more assured at the back than we have been.’ england goalkeeper Jack Butland ensured Stoke held on when he tipped over a shot from Swansea substitute oli McBurnie in the final minute. But Stoke will point to chances for afobe and ince to indicate they are adjusting to life in the championship.