📝 Report: Stoke City 0-1 Bristol City

The defender’s left-footed strike beat Jack Bonham at his far post to send City’s 728 supporters away happy after cheering the side on to a performance described by manager Nigel Pearson as ‘honest and stubbon’.

🧐 BACKGROUND

Pearson made one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Peterborough United with Antoine Semenyo starting in place of Nahki Wells.

✍️ WHAT HAPPENED?

Stoke had an early chance to take the lead when a free-kick found Taylor Harwood-Bells in the box but he failed to connect.

At the other end Semenyo was set free by Andi Weimann down the right but he put his shot high and wide.

City needed Dan Bentley to be at his assured best when he came out of his box to intercept a throughball to Brown and minutes later he denied the same player by diving to his left to palm away a goalbound header.

Chris Martin had a shot saved by Bonham before Semenyo got free on the right but the cutback could not find Martin or Weimann.

The first half ended in drama as Bentley shielded the ball over his goalline in front of Brown and the pair grappled over the advertising hoardings. Bentley and Brown were booked, as was Joe Williams for coming to his goalkeeper’s defence.

⏱ HALF-TIME

Stoke started the second half brightly and substitute Josh Mata’s cross saw Brown slide into the box but failed to connect.

City needed to defend resolutely with Timm Klose getting back to block Tyrese Campbell’s run and Weimann making a crucial clearance.

Lewis Baker hit the bar with a free-kick from just outside the box in the 80^th minute before Weimann did well to latch on to Semenyo’s header, control the ball and shoot but he was denied by Bonham.

Then came Dasilva’s cross/shot from Semenyo’s assist to make it four successive away wins from the bet365 Stadium.