POTTERS ON THE UP AFTER LATE REVIVAL
Rowett vows to keep the force with him in battle to retain stars
STOKE
SHEFFIELD WED
STOKE needed an extra seven minutes to do it – but they finally made it out of the bottom three.
The Potters pulled themselves round from another probable defeat in added time, subs Tyrese Campbell and Sam Vokes (above) taking them out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Campbell hit first with a volley in the 94th minute and Vokes followed up three minutes later to take Stoke to 21st spot.
“My blood pressure was tested,” admitted Stoke boss Michael O’Neill. “It was a great way to win a game, but you wouldn’t want to go through that every week.
“It’s days like today, when you look back on the season, you can say, ‘That was a turning point’.”
Potters keeper Jack Butland charged from his goal to the opposite end of the pitch to join in the mobbing of Vokes.
It was the happiest party in Stoke this Christmas – but it didn’t look good when Sheffield Wednesday turned a half-time deficit into a 2-1 lead.
Stoke were deservedly ahead with James McClean’s 11th minute close-range finish.
But Morgan Fox scored with a flick-shot at the near post after 67 minutes. And then, after Butland had put a Sam Winnall header against the bar, Tom Lees headed in with 74 minutes on the clock.
But then Campell and Vokes staged their late rescue.
“We got what we deserved,” said Owls boss Garry Monk. “I have to be hugely disappointed.”
STOKE: 3 2
Flint J Wallace
JED WALLACE gave Millwall boss Gary Rowett some December cheer – but laced with January fear – as the transfer window prepares to open.
The Lions midfielder scored a breathtaking 30-yard free-kick to cancel out Aden Flint’s opening goal for Cardiff, and remind admirers like Aston Villa he may be worth a £10million gamble.
It ensured a frustrating afternoon for City manager Neil Harris against his former club, who he left in October after four years in charge. Wallace clearly likes the Welsh air. He scored a similarly stunning free-kick to beat
Swansea last other teams because they are playing well. But we are not a selling club. The owner has made it clear we don’t need to sell players.
“At the same time, we are always sensible. Let’s see what happens. We don’t want to lose any of our better players. We want to try and add some more players to help those we have to see if we can achieve something this season.”
Wallace was a cut above anything else on the pitch as both clubs showed why they are just shy of those currently in the play-off positions.
Cardiff are still evolving from the Neil Warnock era under Harris and remain stronger from set-pieces than open play.
They went ahead through Flint when Joe Bennett’s corner was flicked on by Marlon Pack with 59 minutes played, but conceded four minutes later when Wallace produced his stunning equaliser.
Rowett added: “Jed isn’t going to be too popular in Wales. That’s what he can do and you could see both sides of him today.
“He was trying to create opportunities, he was bright, and he has terrific set-piece quality.”
Harris (below) knows all about Wallace’s ability from his time with the Lions and said: “Ultimately, what’s cost us today, is Jed scoring a goal from 30 yards, which is a top-quality strike.
“Do I want more from my wide players? Yeah, I do. Do I expect more? Yes, I do. That’s the demand. But they are such a hard team to break down.” CARDIFF:
Ref: David Webb Att: 23,583 month. But this one was even better – curling and dipping into the top corner to leave Bluebirds keeper Neil Etheridge grasping at thin air.
Of Wallace’s situation, Rowett said: “I expect interest in the players who are performing well.
“You can’t have it both ways as a manager. If you are doing your job properly, and players are performing, then you expect other teams to be interested in those players. “Our job is to make players attractive to
MILLWALL:
MOTM
JED WALLACE (MILLWALL)