Paterson strikes for Stoke

The Potters travelled across the Pennines in another attempt to bring back their first away win of the campaign, but again had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Tony Pulis had also again rested defender, Carl Hoefkens stating that the Belgium international had not recovered sufficiently from his international commitments last week and gave loan player Andy Griffin his second start in four days.

The game was only 4 minutes old when Vincent Pericard gave notice of what Stoke fans hoped would follow when Mamady Sidibe’s through pass inspired Wednesday defender, Coughlan to tug Pericard’s shirt when he could have been clear through on goal. The referee only judged it good enough for a yellow card but it left the Potters’ faithful looking hopeful.

That hope was given a knock when only five minutes later, Pericard limped off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Martin Paterson.

Both sides provided an entertaining first half hour with Darel Russell and Luke Chadwick having good chances for the visitors and Tudgay and Simek for Wednesday giving Simonsen some anxious moments in the Stoke goal.

The breakthrough for the Potters arrived in the 35th minute when Paterson was able to claim his first goal in the Championship. Dave Brammer put Paterson through and while the Sheffield defenders initially paused in the mistaken belief that he may be offsite, coolly shot between the keeper’s legs to put the Potters into the lead.

Stoke’s lead was short lived as only five minutes later Andy Griffin was judged to hand balled in the penalty area and Bougherra’s subsequent spot kick sent Steve Simonsen the wrong way to level the score as the teams went in for half time.

The second half was fairly tame by comparison. To a chorus of cheers from the Stoke fans, Carl Hoefkens was brought on mid way through the second half replacing Luke Chadwick, who had completed his normal hour on the field of play. The final few minutes were fraught for the fans as Wednesday had their best chance of a goal in open play. Stoke had been caught on the break allowed Tudgay to fire just wide with an open goal in front of him.

Sheffield Wednesday: Jones, Coughlan, Simek, Bougherra, Spurr, Whelan (Lunt 81), O’Brien, Brunt, Sam (McAllister 89), Tudgay (Bullen 89), Burton.

Subs not used: Adamson, McClements.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Duberry, Hill, Higginbotham, Griffin, Brammer, Sweeney (Pulis 90), Chadwick (Hoefkens 66), Russell, Sidibe, Pericard (Paterson 10).

Subs not used: Duggan, Rooney.