• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

Stoke City relegated after decade in the Premier League

Edwin Kwakofi by Edwin Kwakofi
May 5, 2018
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

Stoke’s 10-year stay in the Premier League has come to an end after they were relegated to the Championship by Crystal Palace’s second-half resurgence.

Home fans streamed out of the Bet365 Stadium immediately after Patrick van Aanholt’s winner, with long-time chairman Peter Coates looking on miserably.

The afternoon had started far better for the hosts.

Manager Paul Lambert – appointed in January to turn the Potters around – had celebrated wildly with Xherdan Shaqiri after the midfielder’s free-kick opened the scoring just before the break.

But James McArthur skipped clear down the left and side-footed home the leveller, before Van Aanholt pounced on Ryan Shawcross’ under-hit backpass to consign Stoke to the second tier.

The Potters’ players – who finished 13th last season – collapsed to the turf as a first top-flight relegation since 1985 sank in.

Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho was one of a number of visiting players to console their opponents after the final whistle, with goalkeeper Jack Butland in tears as some of the remaining home supporters defiantly chanted their lifelong allegiance to the club.

Crowd loud, Stoke quiet

Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri signed for £12m from Inter Milan in 2015

Before kick-off, a fan implored the rest of the Bet365 Stadium to do “whatever it takes” for victory over the public address system.

The crowd responded with incessant noise, but – for the vast majority of the match – the Stoke attack was too quiet.

As so often, it was only when Shaqiri got on the ball that the hosts looked able to unpick the opposition defence.

The Switzerland international’s cross was headed weakly wide by Mame Biram Diouf in Stoke’s best chance before his free-kick found the net with the game’s first shot on target.

The 26-year-old’s pass should have put Badou Ndiaye clean through on goal in the second half, but the Senegal midfielder miscontrolled when a settling second goal beckoned for Stoke.

Shaqiri has spoken this season of a “lack of quality” among his team-mates and was planning talks with the Stoke management in the summer regardless of whether the club had stayed up.

Formerly of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, he will surely be playing top-flight football somewhere next season, with the likes of England international Butland and Wales midfielder Joe Allen also likely to exit.

The big-money missing men

Peter Coates
Peter Coates (centre) was joined in the executive seats by Stoke legend Gordon Banks (in red tie)

Stoke’s demise is even more damning on those who do not share the teamsheet with Shaqiri.

Record signing Giannelli Imbula has spent the campaign on loan at French strugglers Toulouse.

Defender Kevin Wimmer, bought last summer for £18m, has been dropped down to the club’s under-23 side, where he is joined by out-of-favour £12m striker Saido Berahino.

Lambert’s midfield options on the bench consisted of the ageing trio of Darren Fletcher, Charlie Adam and Stephen Ireland.

The club have not lacked for funds from Coates, but too many of their big-money purchases have been missing in inaction.

–

Source: BBC Sport

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Herbert Mensah named ‘Association President of the Year’ at SWAG Awards

Next Post

Ghana defender Rahman returns to Schalke squad after injury

Related Posts

Black Stars

Andre Ayew dropped as Chris Hughton names Ghana squad to face Mexico, USA

October 4, 2023
Thomas Partey (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
News

Thomas Partey included in Arsenal’s squad ahead of RC Lens match

October 3, 2023
Football

Medeama, Dreams book place in group stages of CAF competitions

October 2, 2023
Football

Late own goal gives Spurs victory over 9-man Liverpool

September 30, 2023
Football

Jordan Ayew’s Crystal Palace beat Man Utd at Old Trafford

September 30, 2023
Football

Hasaacas Ladies and Betika seal partnership

September 29, 2023
News

We are coming not just to participate but we are coming for the ultimate- Blue Rose Limited

September 28, 2023
Football

Emmanuel Yeboah makes Brøndby debut

September 28, 2023
Load More
Next Post

Ghana defender Rahman returns to Schalke squad after injury

Top Stories

Mfantsipim beats Adisadel College to Fun Games top prize

Louis Van Gaal: There was a deliberate intention to make Lionel Messi win the World Cup

CAR head coach warns Ghana – Your next AFCON will be like the last one

Bernard Osei writes: Explaining what is wrong with Chelsea

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Eyewitness News, Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023 October 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023 October 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Monday, 2nd October, 2023 October 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Monday, 2nd October, 2023 October 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • The Big Issue: Alan Kyeremanten's independent candidacy: A third emerging? | Saturday, 30th September, 2023 September 30, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Sports Panorama, Friday, 29th September, 2023 September 29, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Friday, 29th September, 2023 September 29, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Interview with Deputy Executive Director of ITC, Dorothy Tembo | Citi Business Edition September 29, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Thursday, 28th September, 2023 September 28, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Auto Show, Thursday, 28th September, 2023 September 28, 2023 Citi97.3
Citi Sports Online

© 2023 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

© 2023 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT