Stoke City chalked up another pre-season victory, this time against some more serious opposition as they ran out 3-2 victors against Southampton at St. Mary’s.
Dave Kitson (2 mins) and Vincent Pericard (74 mins) were on the score-sheet along with a Saints’ own goal ten minutes from the end. Pericard claimed his second of pre-season and apparently impressed Tony Pulis with his overall performance, which is in marked contrast to his performance both on and off the pitch since joining from Portsmouth two years ago.
Thomas Sorensen made his debut, replacing Steve Simonsen for the second half, along with Seyi Olofinjana who played the first 49 minutes before being replaced by Salif Diao in midfield.
The Saints, under new boss Jan Poortvliet, looked rejuvenated after a torrid season which saw them only just miss relegation to League 1 and came back to level the scores twice with strikes from David McGoldrick (37 mins) and Stern John (74 mins). West Ham were reported as only just escaping from St. Mary’s with their dignity intact after a 2-2 draw last Friday night so a victory – even if courtesy of an own goal – will give the Potters added confidence ahead of their final friendly against Spanish side, Osasuna at the Brit on Friday.
Stoke City:Simonsen (Sorensen 46), Griffin (c), Cort (Buxton 63), Shawcross (Cort 79), Dickinson (Wilkinson 28), Delap, Olofinjana (Diao 49), Pulis, Cresswell (Pericard 34), Sidibe (Pugh 49), Kitson (Parkin 49). Sub not used: Whelan.
Share this article
Related Articles
