Super Mario aims for third promotion
MARIO VRANCIC has done it twice for Norwich – now he’s looking to do it for Stoke.
The Bosnian ace, 32, signed a one-year contract with the hope of taking the Potters to the Premier League after twice achieving promotion with the Canaries.
Vrancic pulled the strings, hitting the corner from which Jacob Brown headed the Potters level then taking on three Huddersfield players before Matty Pearson put the ball in his own net for Stoke’s winner.
“Vrancic has tremendous ability and he has shown that in the past,” said Potters boss Michael O’Neill.
“He is bringing that to us now and we feel that he is a key signing.
“The corner he provided for the first goal was very good and his ball control brought about the second one.”
This Vrancic-inspired win takes Stoke to third in the table but they fell behind in the 47th minute when Harry Toffolo scored his first goal since December last year.
Three minutes later Stoke were level when Brown connected with a powerful header from Vrancic’s corner.
Then in the 64th minute Pearson turned the ball past his own keeper to settle the tie.
“We started the game well,” said Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan.
“But we only scored from one of our chances.”
STOKE: Bursik 6; Ostigard 6, Souttar
7, Wilmot 7; Smith 6, Sawyers 7 (Allen
(67th) 5), Clucas 6, Vrancic 8 (Doughty
85th), Tymon 7; Brown 7, Surridge 6 (Fletcher 80th)
HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 6; Pearson
5, Lees 6 (Turton (67th) 5), Sarr 7; Thomas 6, O’Brien 6, Hogg 6, Toffolo
6; Holmes 5 (Sinani (68th) 5), Campbell
5, Koroma 5
STAR MAN:
REF: