Potters in right frame
TYRESE CAMPBELL’S two strikes put Stoke on course for a vital victory in this six-pointer basement battle.
The talented 20-year-old showed why he was once on Manchester City’s books when he added to Sam Vokes’ opener – and this with just 10 minutes gone.
Stoke’s two goals in two minutes simply shattered Barnsley’s tight defensive record and turned the tables on the Yorkshire club, who had taken seven points out of nine post-lockdown, compared to Stoke’s abject single point from three games.
The perked-up Potters wrapped up the contest before half-time with Campbell’s second strike.
The Cheshire lad found enough space to divert a cross from lively James Mcclean past Barnsley’s defence and exposed keeper Jack Walton.
The icing on the cake came when sub Tom Ince hit a superb left-foot effort into the top corner with three minutes left.
Potters’ manager
Michael O’neill was relieved and delighted with the
STOKE result, particularly after their midweek 3-0 humiliation at Wigan.
The former Northern Ireland boss had told his players they should “hang their heads in shame”, and admitted: “After that midweek game, we hammered home the message to play with a greater intensity and to capitalise on set pieces. They responded and did a great job.”
He added: “Tyrese is a great finisher, but you have to get in goalscoring positions first and he did that. He was excellent.”
Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber said: “We came up against an opponent who were massive. I’m very disappointed. We didn’t have the right energy. We were not at the right level and paid the price.
“Stoke had a game plan and we were too late with our reactions.”
It was a nightmare throughout for Struber’s outfit, from the moment Vokes headed home from a perfect Sam Clucas corner after only eight minutes.
Two minutes later, a weak back-pass from defender Mads Andersen allowed Campbell the chance of nipping in to steer home.
Then came his second to wrap it up, with Ince getting in on the act late on.
Barnsley had their chances, Kilian Ludewig testing Jack Butland with a fierce effort, while skipper Alex Mowatt did likewise with a free-kick.
BARNSLEY