With Preston North End travelling to Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium on Saturday, the Lancashire side would look to extend their unbeaten start to the season with a fourth consecutive victory. The hosts had picked up six points from their opening four encounters, and would look to rise into the top half of the table with a further win.
STO: Travers; Stevens, Wilmot, McNally, Hoever; Pearson, Burger; Campbell, Laurent, Léris; Wesley
PNE: Woodman; Lindsay, Whatmough, Storey; Hughes, Ledson, McCann, Potts; Frökjær-Jensen, Browne; Keane
With the first half in Stoke lacking notable action, it was the visitors that came closest to taking the lead as Hughes dispossessed Hoever to dart forwards into a crowded penalty area – but the wing-back couldn’t find the back of the net.
Having replaced Frökjær-Jensen at half time, Holmes’ impact would be felt almost immediately as he jinked past Burger before being hurled to the ground inside the area. Keane’s effort from the penalty spot was sent straight down the middle of the target, with Travers unable to stop the strike.
Keane would be celebrating again just six minutes later, as Holmes latched onto Potts’ pass before sending the forward through on goal – and he made no mistake with a tidy finish.
While Stoke sought to clinch a way back into the match, they were ultimately unable to do so – and it’s the visitors that head home with the all-important three points. With the international break bringing a temporary pause to the EFL Championship season, Stoke City and Preston North End will both return to action on 16 September, facing Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle respectively.
