Harry’s the head boy for Potters
ARSENAL loanee Harry Clarke showed his class as he power-headed home for his new club Stoke.
It was only the defender’s sixth career goal, coming in his fourth loan spell away from the Emirates – but it augurs well for the Potters.
Josh Tymon set him up with a deep, lofted cross from the left, and Clarke positioned himself perfectly to put a no-nonsense header past keeper Dan Grimshaw.
Stoke boss Michael O’neill admitted: “It was a really important goal for him and for us. He has real athleticism, and he showed he has lots of work in him too, even though he has work to do defensively.
“We showed composure and purpose and I’m happy with that.”
Blackpool manager Michael Appleton didn’t hold back when he blasted: “We got what we deserved. We were passive and lacked aggression, though the second half was much better.
“We need to be braver and more dangerous. I want my players to learn, and to take away the lessons.”
New Stoke striker Dwight Gayle had a couple of on-target attempts, and was unlucky not to open his account.
Keeper Grimshaw got a hand to Gayle’s second-half shot, and also kept out an early blockbuster at the second attempt.
But it was all over when Jacob Brown got off the mark with a fine left-footed strike from the centre of the box, following another good set-up by Tymon in the 75th minute.
Things appear to be looking up for Stoke, whose new signing Laurent certainly looked the part, smashing one long-range effort against the bar – much to the delight of the Stoke faithful, who responded with a trademark rendition of Delilah.
Blackpool deserve credit as the relegation-favourites shook off the impact of their terrible injury list to have their moments.
But with Gary Madine going down in the first half, the Tangerines now have nine men crocked.