BBC Radio Stoke's Mark Elliott dissects Stoke City's 1-0 win over Hull City and how it could change the course of the season.
The 17 minutes of added time was about as welcome as another plate of beige leftovers, but Stoke got through them and go into the final fixture of the festive period at Norwich off the back of a win that feels like it could be worth much more than three points.
Context is key as always and Stoke came into this dealing with a whole host of very different problems.
On a poor run of form that had gone on for 10 games, and three days on from a home defeat that saw sections of the fanbase register their displeasure, they needed a result to stay in touch with a top six they had looked certain to remain a part of 14 games into the season.
Struggling for goals and looking shakier defensively than at any point since May, they were visiting a team chasing the top two.
Finally, there was the growing list of injuries and absentees. Aaron Cresswell, Junior Tchamadeu and Lewis Baker are key while Ben Pearson and Eric Bocat are established first team players and none were available for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps the biggest blow was revealed just before kick-off when it emerged that Viktor Johansson, undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the league, a leader and a huge character in the dressing room was out with a shoulder injury.
That the club decided to recall and play England youth international Tommy Simkin from a loan at Leyton Orient rather than turn to regular reserve Jack Bonham suggests the Swede won't be back anytime soon.
On paper, the chances of an away win were slim.
But with a 21-year-old making his second league appearance for the club acquitting himself admirably in goal, two centre-backs at full-back and another in midfield, Stoke were resilient, tenacious and well worth their 1-0 win.
They rode their luck at times, Hull hit the frame of the goal twice but they deserved at least some good fortune and could have scored more themselves.
The only negative was the addition of Robert Bozenik to the list of the walking wounded with a horrible looking shoulder injury suffered minutes after he finally scored his first goal for the club.
But this was the sort of performance and win against the odds that can galvanise a team and change the course of a season.
If they can find 11 fit and available players and follow it up with a similar performance and result at Norwich on Sunday, Stoke will be right back on track.
Category: General Sports
