Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City: Baker’s late winner sees off Sky Blues

Stoke should have gone ahead before the break when Junior Tchamadeu rose highest to head Lynden Gooch’s far-post cross against the upright.

Emre Tezgel also had a header parried by debutant Coventry keeper Dovin, from Tchamadeu’s right-wing cross – but it was the only on-target effort of the first half.

And the two keepers did not get much busier after the break despite Coventry improving.

Strikers Haji Wright, on his way back to full fitness after missing most of pre-season, and Brandon Thomas-Asante, the Sky Blues’ new signing from West Bromwich Albion, both made lively appearances from the bench as the visitors finally looked a threat up front.

But it was Baker’s introduction that proved most telling.

And, although Dovin may have been disappointed to be beaten at his near post, the former Chelsea youth player’s match-winning strike was a beautifully-constructed move which simply cut Coventry open.

Aside from new keeper Viktor Johansson, Stoke also had two other debutants in their starting line-up, midfielder Eric Bocat and defender Ben Gibson, while 18-year-old Emre Tezgel impressed on his return from last season’s loan at MK Dons.

Coventry also had three starting debutants, keeper Dovin, midfielder Jack Rudoni and winger Ephron Mason-Clark, who they signed in January, before allowing him to return on loan to Peterborough.