Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Ali Al-Hamadi goal ends Potters’ winless run

Stoke made a bright start through Million Manhoef, who saw his eighth-minute shot blocked.

Despite that early setback, it did not take long for the hosts to take the initiative when they went ahead in the 19th minute through Al-Hamadi.

Blackburn centre-half Dominic Hyam played a dreadful cross-field ball that was easily intercepted by Bae Jun-ho. The Stoke man raced towards goal and played the ball into the path of Lewis Baker, overlapping down the left wing. His low pass across the face of goal was converted by the outstretched Al-Hamadi at the far post.

Blackburn, however, were quick to react.

Tyrhys Dolan was picked out by Makhtar Gueye’s pass in the 25th minute, springing the Stoke offside trap. His low cross fell to Todd Cantwell, whose well-struck shot hit the post and rolled away.

The visitors pressed at the start of the second half, and came close to an equaliser in the 50th minute.

Callum Brittain struck a beautiful 20-yard shot from a Rovers’ corner, only to see his effort dip just over the Stoke goal. But that was as good as it got for the visitors until the final moments of the game.

Stoke resumed their dominance and continued to look for a second, with Rovers struggling to find a response.

Robins’ side went close again in the 72nd minute. Al-Hamadi fed Lewis Koumas, who sprinted towards the box before passing across goal for Jun-ho – only for Aynsley Pears to claim the ball.

As the game edged into the third minute of stoppage time, Rovers were denied an equaliser when Johansson produced a brilliant save from Rankin-Costello.

It was to be their final chance as Stoke held on for a valuable three points.