Surr-prise for Royals

STOKE CITY

3 Powell 25, Brown 28, Surridge 85 READING 2 Swift 26, Moore 60

SUPERSUB Sam Surridge needed just 12 minutes to make the perfect impact at Stoke City – and earn his first pat on the back from Potters boss Michael O’Neill.

The £2.5million signing from Bournemouth has been recruited for his attacking flair. And judging by the way he spotted Mario Vrancic’s clever dummy to run on to the ball and tuck it past Rafael Cabral, the signs are good.

It decided a contest which saw Stoke lead twice through Nick Powell and Jacob Brown, only to be pegged back by John Swift and Liam Moore before Surridge’s contribution (top).

And O’Neill said: “I’m delighted. The winning goal was well built from the back and a great finish from Sam. It was a great game to win.

“Apparently it was the first time in 11 years we’ve won on the opening day, so we’ve got rid of that skeleton.”

Stoke struck first after Reading captain Moore gave away a free-kick. Tommy Smith pinged the ball long and the incoming Powell tucked his volley past Cabral.

But Reading were quickly back on level terms, a deflected back pass allowing Swift to nip in. The hosts soon regained the advantage as Powell picked out Brown, who sent the ball between Cabral’s legs.

On the hour, a Swift corner met the head of galloping captain Moore who levelled again. O’Neill threw on fresh legs and Surridge duly delivered just 12 minutes after coming off the bench.

Royals boss Veljko Paunovic said: “At 2-2, we lost our momentum.”

STOKE CITY: Bursik 7; Wilmot 6, Batth 6, Fox 6; Tymon 7 (Doughty, 78), Powell 8 (Clucas, 72, 5), Allen 7, Vrancic 7 (Thompson, 88), Smith 7; Fletcher 7 (Surridge, 72, 6), Brown 6.

Unused subs: Davies, Ince, Souttar.

READING: Cabral 6; Yiadom 6, Morrison 7, Moore 7, Bristow 6; Rinomhota, Laurent; Swift 8 (Tetek, 76), Bristow, Azeez 6 (Holmes, 87); Joao 6 (Puscas, 76).

Unused subs:Southwood, Camara.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Nick Powell. Very influential in the first half, scored one, made one.

REFEREE: Matt Donohue 7.