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Football

Stoke City

vs Blackburn Rovers. Sky Bet Championship.

8: 00pm, Wednesday 12th March 2025.

Bet365 Stadium Attendance: Attendance20, 194.

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night; Ali Al-Hamadi seals narrow win for Mark Robins' Potters. Wednesday 12 March 2025 23: 16, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ali Al-Hamadi scored as Stoke boosted their Championship survival hopes with a 1-0 win over play-off chasing Blackburn. Hours after being called up for Iraq's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, loanee Al-Hamadi netted his second goal for the club after 19 minutes as the Potters won only a third league game under Mark Robins in 12 attempts. But they were also indebted to two magnificent saves from goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, with his second denying Joe Rankin-Costello in stoppage time. Starting the night one point above the drop zone, City's victory lifted them up to 19th and four points clear of the bottom three. In contrast, Rovers have taken a solitary point from a possible nine under new boss Valerien Ismael and their four-game winless run leaves them four points off the top six. Both sides went into the game on the back of defeats last weekend. Stoke, still smarting from their stoppage-time loss at Coventry, created the first chance in what soon became a tetchy encounter.

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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Al-Hamadi found Million Manhoef in space but the Dutch star dithered. His indecision allowed Hayden Carter to execute a perfect block when Manhoef finally fired goalwards. Rovers had won four of their six previous away games at Stoke but were up against it when the home side went in front. Dominic Hyam's crossfield pass was easily picked off by Bae Jun-ho. The South Korean international combined with Lewis Baker and the one-time Rovers loanee whipped a low centre across the six-yard box and Al-Hamadi slid in at the far post. Todd Cantwell thought he had equalised after 25 minutes and would have done but for Johansson tipping the midfielder's effort on to a post. Neither side made changes at the break but 22 seconds after the restart Rovers' striker Makhtar Gueye was booked for one foul too many. Full-back Callum Brittain almost fashioned a stunning leveller but his 30-yard drive after 51 minutes did not dip in time to beat Johansson. After a lengthy stoppage for an accidental clash of heads, the game resumed with Al-Hamadi and Hyam sporting bandages to protect their cuts. Robins used the time to replace the ineffective Manhoef with Lewis Koumas. Blackburn made their first three of five substitutions in the 65th minute but the frequent interruptions were only harming Rovers' hopes of finding an attacking rhythm. And they had goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to thank for cutting out a dangerous cross from substitute Koumas. Al-Hamadi had been at the heart of all Stoke's best moves and he received a standing ovation from home supporters when making way for ex-Rover Sam Gallagher with 16 minutes remaining. Stoke then held on for a vital win thanks to Johansson's stunning save in the third of nearly 10 minutes of added time. Stoke's Mark Robins: "It was in but he got there and clawed it out. He was really good. His handling was good, his communication was good as usual and his kicking was really decent. "He is a top goalkeeper. We had a conversation because Coventry had three shots on Saturday and we conceded three goals. "Tonight, he has kept a clean sheet. That's the response you want from your keeper. "I am delighted with the three points, delighted with the clean sheet and delighted with the performances of everyone. "But when we have the game by the scruff of the neck, don't turn down opportunities to play forward and don't turn chances down to shoot. That's what we live for. "I am pleased with the result but there is so much more in there. " Blackburn's Valerien Ismael: "It's all about more belief in yourself. You must make sure when you start the game you are ready to go. "Last season, Rovers were in a bad situation with more pressure with the position in the league and people working for the club worrying about their jobs. Now, we are competing for something positive. "They need to enjoy and start the game like how we finished the first half and in the second half. "If you don't have the confidence before you start the game I don't know when you will have it. " The £250, 000 is up for grabs with Super 6, and as always it is completely free to play. Entries by 3pm Saturday.

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