FootyChatter.com

Ali Al-Hamadi stretches to score Stoke City's winning goal against Blackburn Rovers Stoke City claimed their first victory in five league games to peel away from the Championship drop zone and extend Blackburn Rovers' recent poor form. Ali Al-Hamadi, on loan from Ipswich Town, scored a first-half goal to seal all three points for Mark Robins' side. The victory lifted the Potters into 19th spot, four points above the bottom three, with Blackburn, in ninth, continuing to search for their first victory under the recently appointed Valerien Ismael. Rovers had a late chance to equalise through Joe Rankin-Costello, only to be denied by Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson. Stoke made a bright start through Million Manhoef, who saw his eighth-minute shot blocked. Despite that early setback, it did not take long for the hosts to take the initiative when they went ahead in the 19th minute through Al-Hamadi. Blackburn centre-half Dominic Hyam played a dreadful cross-field ball that was easily intercepted by Bae Jun-ho. The Stoke man raced towards goal and played the ball into the path of Lewis Baker, overlapping down the left wing. His low pass across the face of goal was converted by the outstretched Al-Hamadi at the far post. Blackburn, however, were quick to react. Tyrhys Dolan was picked out by Makhtar Gueye's pass in the 25th minute, springing the Stoke offside trap. His low cross fell to Todd Cantwell, whose well-struck shot hit the post and rolled away. The visitors pressed at the start of the second half, and came close to an equaliser in the 50th minute. Callum Brittain struck a beautiful 20-yard shot from a Rovers' corner, only to see his effort dip just over the Stoke goal. But that was as good as it got for the visitors until the final moments of the game. Stoke resumed their dominance and continued to look for a second, with Rovers struggling to find a response. Robins' side went close again in the 72nd minute. Al-Hamadi fed Lewis Koumas, who sprinted towards the box before passing across goal for Jun-ho - only for Aynsley Pears to claim the ball. As the game edged into the third minute of stoppage time, Rovers were denied an equaliser when Johansson produced a brilliant save from Rankin-Costello. It was to be their final chance as Stoke held on for a valuable three points. Stoke City manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was really hard fought. They were a tough nut to crack. The support was fantastic, cheering every tackle, every foray forward, and they stayed with us until the end. "We started brightly, we scored a brilliant goal, and it was sharp. We played in spells, really well, but at some point we make a mistake and shoot ourselves in the foot. "Inevitably, the other side puts you under pressure, but we had Viktor behind us who kept us in it and made a couple of brilliant saves. "I'm really pleased. The endeavour was there, commitment was there, the desire was there. We were focused on what we were trying to do. "There is room for improvement, and that's a good thing. We are in a good position in terms of the physicality and mental side of it, and we have some really good players here. I'm delighted with those three points. " Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "The performance in the first half wasn't what we expected. We made a mistake, but how we finished the first half, how we played in the second half, is what we wanted to see from minute one. "The players showed quality. Last season, the Rovers were in a bad situation with much more pressure, and now we are competing for something positive, so we need to enjoy it and start the games as we started the second half. "We need to work on our confidence. The second half was much better. We have to build on that. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 12th March 2025 at 21: 58 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Valérien Ismaël Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Valérien Ismaël Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Stoke City have won four of their last six league games against Blackburn Rovers (L2), keeping a clean sheet in three of those wins.   Blackburn Rovers have won four of their last six away league games against Stoke City (L2), winning this exact fixture 3-0 last season – their joint-biggest ever away league victory over the Potters alongside another 3-0 victory in December 1889. Stoke have only lost one of their last six home league games (W2 D3), keeping four clean sheets in that time, as many as in their previous 17 league matches on home soil. Blackburn have only lost two of their last eight midweek league games (W4 D2), though those two defeats have come in their last three such games (0-2 v Coventry, 1-2 v QPR). Stoke’s Mark Robins is unbeaten in his last eight Championship games against Blackburn (W3 D5), winning each of his last three at home with Coventry from November 2022 to October 2024. Match ends, Stoke City 1, Blackburn Rovers 0. Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Blackburn Rovers 0. Attempt saved. Lewis Koumas (Stoke City) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sam Gallagher. Foul by Cauley Woodrow (Blackburn Rovers). Jordan Thompson (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Dominic Hyam is caught offside. Emmanuel Dennis (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Bae Jun-Ho (Stoke City). Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Michael Rose. Attempt saved. Joe Rankin-Costello (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Hayden Carter with a cross. Substitution, Stoke City. Michael Rose replaces Enda Stevens because of an injury. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Cauley Woodrow replaces Lewis Travis. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Enda Stevens (Stoke City). Jordan Thompson (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Emmanuel Dennis (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Jordan Thompson (Stoke City). Fourth official has announced 8 minutes of added time. Attempt blocked. Emmanuel Dennis (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dominic Hyam. Hand ball by Jordan Thompson (Stoke City). Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.