Michael O’Neill’s Stoke triumph over Nathan Jones’ inept Hatters

A brace from Nick Powell, and a Steven Fletcher strike, saw the Potters overcome Luton Town in a 3-0 win at the bet365 Stadium in their bid for the Play-Offs.

O’Neill’s men took the lead exactly on the 20^th minute through Powell, in a move which was started by the midfielder and saw the number 25 break the deadlock. After some rather unselfish play from Fletcher handed Stoke a well-deserved lead, the 33-year-old rounded Simon Sluga and laid off to Powell who had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

Despite their hosts taking the lead, the Hatter’s started to grow into the game. Enjoying a spell of possession right up until the half-time whistle, but Jones’ men didn’t look like scoring even if they had 100 shots. A strong defensive display from the Potters kept Luton at bay for the great majority of the game.

Stoke City remain in ninth place after today’s important victory, making it back-to-back wins. O’Neill’s side are just four points from the Play-Offs and face off to Barnsley in an attempt to win three games on the trot.

“We have to keep pushing forward, we’ve got an opportunity to win three games in a row which doesn’t happen very often.”

In the Championship, last minute Play-Off pushes are far from uncommon and the Potters look like they’ll be this year’s team to do so, if they can build on positive results.

The former Northern Ireland manager started a midfield trio of Joe Allen, Jordan Thompson and Nick Powell, a trio which was able to dictate play and override their opposition. Powell was subbed off shortly after bagging his brace in the 64^th minute however, this didn’t stop the Potters adding more to their tally.

Fletcher was at hand to score their third goal of the afternoon after a calamitous error at the back from the Hatters allowed for Stoke to capitalise, with substitute Sam Clucas squaring the ball to the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

Overall, an excellent afternoon at the races for O’Neill’s side. Although for Jones, misery continues as Luton travel back to Bedfordshire empty handed.

Stoke City have done extremely well considering the impacts injuries have had on the squad, with Nathan Collins the latest casualty for the Potters after being ruled out for the rest of the season in their 4-1 defeat to Norwich City.

O’Neill admits momentum has been hard to come by so far this season:

“We have struggled to gather any momentum since the turn of the year, but we still have 15 games left this term and I firmly believe there is still much for us to play for.”

Fighting talk from the Stoke boss as the Potters face a crucial remainder of the season, if they can build on their performance against the Hatters, we may very well see the Staffordshire side at Wembley.

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