Ince keeps it nice and simple to turn the tables on Bowyer
THE last time Tom Ince scored against Charlton, Stoke were heading for trouble.
Six months on and his second goal of a lean season sees the Potters heading for safety and the Addicks in a relegation battle.
In between, Ince has suffered ex-Potters boss Nathan Jones baffling him with tactical ideas.
Now his instructions are clear from Michael O’Neill – get down the wing, take people on, score goals. Ince did all that this time. Stoke lost 3-1 at The Valley in the second game of the season but are reviving under O’Neill, five points clear of the Championship drop zone, and Ince is thriving.
But Charlton boss Lee Bowyer said: “It wasn’t good enough.
“Stoke were better than us, they looked hungrier, they outfought us and that doesn’t happen too often.
“There were too many players who had an off day. It’s tight at the bottom but we are good enough to keep that gap between us and the relegation places.”
What his defence was doing in the 28th minute is uncertain but they did not react when Sam Clucas’ free-kick found Nick Powell at the far post. Powell headed down and there was no movement from Charlton as James McClean poked in his sixth goal of the season.
But a minute into first-half added time, Andre Green’s cross found Ben Purrington who got in front of Tommy Smith to slide in a surprise equaliser.
Stoke were ahead again in the 47th minute, the excellent Joe Allen threading a pass for Ince to turn smartly and score.
Then Powell got in front of Tom Lockyer to meet Smith’s cross and add a third in the 66th minute.
O’Neill said: “We’ve won three games out of four. Our form over the last 10 or 11 games would put us in the top three.”