BROWN GOAL SPARKS CITY CUP OF JOY!
STOKE City produced a textbook away performance to stun Wolves, shock the bookies and make it into the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Stoke had their backs against the wall for much of the first half at Molineux against a strong Wolves team that had been talking about this competition as a route into Europe.
But they always managed to keep Wolves away from the real danger areas and they carried a threat themselves – and were positive in the second half.
When the big break came, it came for substitute Jacob Brown and he seized his moment.
He linked up with James Mcclean and Steven Fletcher to smash a shot past John Ruddy and secure a 1-0 win.
There were still heart in mouth moments, like a chance for Fabio Silva from point blank range that he somehow missed, but this was a superb display for a team which had almost forgotten how to get results on their travels.
They were disciplined and brave and worked as a team in defence and attack.
Gillingham now lie in wait at the bet365 Stadium next week.
Michael O’neill stayed with the wing-back system he used at Millwall but made seven changes to his starting XI, only retaining Adam
Davies, Tommy Smith, Bruno Martins Indi and Sam Vokes. There was no place even on the bench for Jack Butland or Tom Ince.
O’neill had been clear in the build-up that it was a chance for the young players he called up to catch his eye rather than, with a few weeks left in the transfer window, the managers of clubs thinking of a possible loan bid.
He said before kick-off: “The priority is to impress me. We’re giving them the opportunity in hope they’ll take it and stay in the team.
“As for impressing other football clubs, I’m not really that interested in younger players, at the minute, going out on loan. I think they have to now prove themselves at this club or else the better option (than a loan) would be to leave permanently.
“We constantly have players out on loan and players returning. I know that’s a trend in the modern game