Stoke scored two clinical goals as they produced one of the most comfortable football scores of the weekend in the Championship. With Stoke’s victory, former Preston manager Alex Neil made a triumphant first trip back to Deepdale. Since taking over as Potters manager in August, Neil has rekindled hopes of a promotion challenge. More than 3,000 visiting supporters cheered when midfielder Smallbone, on loan from Southampton, stroked Stoke ahead after 58 minutes. Midfielder Campbell was equally proficient in the 66th. Campbell got the opening opportunity of the contest before limping off. On loan from Chelsea, the excellent Dujon Sterling fed a low ball behind Preston’s defence, but Woodman sprinted out to make a save at Campbell’s feet.
An opportunistic away side harassed Preston to the point of distraction, which was out of character for them. After 23 minutes, they finally had a chance, but Jordan Storey’s hooked shot was diverted behind. When Storey rose to his highest point in the ensuing corner, Lewis Baker blocked. At the centre of a three-man Stoke backline, Phil Jagielka was flawless and stopped two shots from 18 yards away. However, Stoke attacked with more vigour than the host team. Storey stepped in on the cover when Dwight Gayle hesitated before shooting when clear through, and Sterling bent past the far post after controlling Smallbone’s flighted left-wing delivery.
Campbell was prompted to pursue by Baker’s pass over the top. He moved the ball to his left foot and executed a precise finish inside the far post as he approached the 18-yard line. Gayle flicked a pass from Campbell just wide between the goals, 672 days after scoring his last goal for Newcastle against West Brom. With a two-goal advantage, Neil’s team took full charge. Gayle and brilliant winger Tarique Fosu were stopped by Woodman before Baker’s attempt resulted in an athletic save from the goalkeeper. With only three points separating them from the top six, Neil’s team moves up six spots to 11th as a result. Preston, meanwhile, drops four spots to tie Stoke for 12th place with 19 points.
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