Stoke City 1-0 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship) 21.08.21

Nottingham Forest were beaten for the fourth successive league match and the Reds currently sit bottom of the Championship table without a point this season, worse than that the club are midst a run now that stretches ten league games without a win, a long time spanning last beating Queens Park Rangers at the start of April.

Not only have results been miserable, but performances too, the Reds failing to register an attempt of any worth in a first half dominated early doors by a Stoke side who are riding high at opposite ends of the table.

Tommy Smith struck an early volley wide when left unmarked at the back post on five minutes before Sam Clucas headed off target on thirteen minutes, the best chances in the opening half coming early on before Forest fought themselves back into the game in what was a competitive first forty-five of few chances.

In the second half Stoke continued to press, and the move of the game was finished off by Josh Tymon after some one touch passing right to left carved the Forest defence wide open on 66 for the games only goal and would be winner.

It could have been worse, Zinckernagel sloppy in possession almost punished as Steven Fletcher’s shot after being put through on goal was well saved by the feet of Samba, then on 79 Forest could have levelled themselves, sub Brennan Johnson doing well to race in behind and square to Lewis Grabban but some good defending wouldn’t allow the Reds frontman to score his first of the season.

A disappointing outcome but one expected, Stoke too solid for a Reds side who look fragile of depth, and lacking in any confidence, the re-signing for a year of James Garner from Manchester United who last season had a successful loan spell, one bright hope that things could improve, that signing was sealed late Saturday night, Garner’s first match could well easily come against Derby County at the weekend, a defeat and it could be Manager Chris Hughton’s last?

Stoke City: Burslik, Wilmot, Soutar, Ostigard, Tymon, Vrancic (Thompson 70), Allen, Clucas (Sawyers 86), Smith, Fletcher (Surridge 70), Brown.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Back, Figuereido, McKenna, Bong, Cafu, Yates, Mighten, Carvalho (Johnson 70), Zinckernagel, Taylor (Grabban 70).

Venue: Stoke City Stadium (21,346)

*Main image @NFFC Alex Mighten attacks the Stoke City defence.