Bony leads Stoke to victory over Swansea
By Matt English
Bony found his form against his former team as Stoke handled struggling Swansea Monday night
Stoke City came into Monday nights game on a four match unbeaten streak. Despite an early injury setback, the Potters came out on top thanks to the wonderful combination of Joe Allen and Wilfred Bony.
The game started swiftly with Bony opening the scoring off a brilliant pass from Allen. The big Ivorian had an easy finish, and put his team up 1-0 just three minutes into the match.. It was the perfect start for Stoke and their home supporters.
No less than five minutes later, Swansea equalized through their winger Wayne Routledge. Playmaker and star of the team Gylfi Sigurdsson played a wonderful cross into the box and Routledge outmuscled the defender to head home, tying the game at one all.
Swansea dominated most of the possession after they scored. Stoke mainly sat back and invited pressure, trying to hit the counter attack hard and fast. Charlie Adam had two chances come off the post in the first half, with the Scottish international coming just inches away from scoring. Arnautović also had a chance to put his team ahead after rounding the keeper, but he hit the post as well.
Shaqiri had to be subbed out in the 26th minute due to an injury, bringing on the young Egyptian Ramadan Sobhi. He made his impact in the 55th minute when he fizzed a ball across the face of goal, only to be turned in by Alfie Mawson into his own net.
Stoke were cruising after their lead was regained, and they got the final dagger in the 73rd minute. Joe Allen had a great effort saved, but it ended up back on his foot as he set up Bony again perfectly. The striker finished off his second goal of the game, nodding it past Fabianski.
The 3-1 result is well deserved by Stoke. They played well throughout the game and their keeper Lee Grant had another solid performance in net. The Potters now sit tied in the middle of the table with Bournemouth and Leicester City on 12 points. They travel to West Ham for their next match on November 5th in the Premier League.
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For Swansea, their form has been lacking all season. They had a glimmer of hope early on, but were ultimately no match for the strength of Stoke City. New manager Bob Bradley is still in the beginnings of his time at the Welsh club, but he will have to find a way to get a result soon.
They sit in 19th, just three points above bottom dwellers Sunderland. Swansea get no time to rest as they are set to host Manchester United in their next match on November 6th.