Stoke City 1-2 Swansea City: Adam Idah scores with first touch to seal comeback win

There was an intriguing subplot in this contest as Ethan Galbraith made his league debut for Stoke a little over six weeks after joining in a big-money move from Swansea.

Much is expected of the Northern Ireland midfielder, who was one of Swansea’s star performers in 2025-26 and brushed off boos from the travelling fans during what was a solid league debut for the Potters.

But it was those in the away end who had the last laugh; a greater control of possession led to a morale-boosting success for a Swansea team who struggled on their travels last season.

Stoke’s goal came against the run of play – and from the hosts’ one meaningful attack of the first half – when Svante Ingelsson’s drive and cross was turned back into the path of Bocat by Tomas Rigo.

Bocat, making his 68th Stoke appearance, turned neatly on to his left foot before his shot deflected in off Ben Cabango.

Swansea wobbled for a while – with Ingelsson’s long throws causing problems in his first league game for Stoke – but were deservedly level after smart work in midfield by Marko Stamenic and Jay Fulton sent Moussa Yeo into space.

Zan Vipotnik could not get enough on Yeo’s cross to find the target, but the striker’s touch teed up Opoku’s equaliser.

The story of the game would have been different had Wales international Thomas not shot too close to goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux when he looked odds-on to score after surging into the Swansea area.

Idah replaced Vipotnik, last season’s Championship’s top scorer, who had a quiet afternoon.

The Republic of Ireland international immediately succeeded where Thomas failed, seizing the chance to claim the points just seconds after coming on after more good work in the build-up from Fulton and Stamenic.