Hull may have been on a so-called run of good results, but Stoke’s run is proving longer lasting as they came away from the east coast with their second away win in eight days.
Danny Higginbotham opened the scoring in the second minute with a header from a Lee Hendrie corner. Stoke should have had a penalty later in the first half after Vincent Pericard was bundled to the ground but the home side picked up the pace a bit to make Steve Simonsen earn his keep with some great saves. A second half substitution for Lawrence saw a rare glimpse of Sam Bangoura and it was due to Bangoura’s efforts that saw Darel Russell slam home the conclusive goal in the 80th minute to ensure that Stoke got their sixth win in eight matches.
Since the start of October, the Potters have picked up 18 out of a possible 24 points to rocket up the table from 21st to 7th position. Amazing really, considering that their form up to then had consisted of just one win in the first ten games.
Stoke travelled to Hull with a surprise last minute replacement for Luke Chadwick. Liam Lawrence completed the legalities of his loan move from Sunderland just before the Football League deadline of midday on Saturday and three hours later started his first game for the Potters. Stoke hope that Lawrence, following in the footsteps of the unlucky Rory Delap, will sign for the Potters at the end of his loan spell in January.
Hull City: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Coles, Dawson (Barmby 63), Fagan, Marney, Jarrett, Delaney, Elliott (Yeates 75), Forster (Bridges 75).
Subs not used: Duke, Livermore.
Stoke City: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin (Hill 86), Lawrence (Bangoura 72), Hendrie, Diao, Russell, Sidibe, Pericard (Brammer 61).
Subs not used: Paterson, Pulis.
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