Oghenekaro Etebo ended Stoke City’s 390-minute wait for a goal as his spectacular effort floored Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
The Nigerian international capped another outstanding midfield display with a scintillating first half effort to earn Nathan Jones his third win as Potters boss.
His effort proved to be the only goal of the game, although City squandered an opportunity to extend their lead on the stroke of half-time as Bojan failed to convert from the penalty spot.
The loss of Tom Ince and skipper Ryan Shawcross to injuries represented low points on an otherwise positive afternoon as the Potters also extended their impressive run without conceding a goal to more than 500 minutes.
Jones resisted the temptation to recall fit-again Sam Vokes and Sam Clucas following his return from suspension as he named an unchanged starting line-up.
It was, however, the home side who made the brighter start and they went close to forging a breakthrough after just eight minutes when Adam Armstrong crashed a long range shot against the underside of Jack Butland’s bar.
That narrow escape served to spark the Potters into life and Etebo had already been denied by a superb defensive block before he fired the visitors in front after 14 minutes with a rasping drive that gave Blackburn ‘keeper David Raya no chance whatsoever.
Ince played a significant role in the build-up to the goal but his afternoon was cut-short seven minutes before the break as he pulled up whilst trying to get on the end of a Tom Edwards through-ball.
City had squandered a penalty in their defeat to Blackburn at the bet365 Stadium earlier in the season and their spot-kick hoodoo struck again on the stroke of half-time.
Referee Geoff Eltringham pointed to the spot – much to the dismay of the home support – after Afobe had been brought down by Charlie Mulgrew but Bojan only succeeded in drawing a superb save from Raya.
Stoke manager Nathan Jones hailed the “scintillating” finish that ended their four-match goal drought as they ran out 1-0 winners at Blackburn.
He said: “First half we were excellent. I thought some of our play first half was outstanding.
“We should have gone in more than one up. [Etebo] had a glorious chance from four yards that was blocked on the line, but not long after we scored a wonderful goal, from goalkeeper right through to a scintillating finish. I thought that was a wonderful, wonderful goal.
“Obviously, having the penalty on the stroke of half-time, you think we’ll go in 2-0 up, but it’s been symptomatic really. We haven’t shown as ruthless a streak as we would like and that’s the only disappointing thing.
“That’s nine games now unbeaten and if we just had a little bit more ruthlessness, we’d be knocking on a few doors and that’s the only disappointment but I’m delighted with the application, work-rate, resilience that we’re showing. Our defensive collectiveness and look, some of our football has been very good.”
Trending
- OSUN: NANS seeks intervention from Governor Adeleke, threatens protest over fee hike, palliative
- Easter Celebration: IGP orders round-the-clock water-tight security at all public spaces
- Kogi poll: SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’ against Governor Ododo
- No BoT in Labour Party, spokesman dismisses takeover claims
- Nigerian writer urges preservation of literary heritage amid writer shortage
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace