Stoke City Kick Off Championship Season with a Thrilling Win Over Hull
Stoke City began their 2023/24 Championship campaign with a pulsating 2-1 victory over Hull City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. The Potters dominated possession and created numerous chances, ultimately securing the win thanks to goals from Jacob Brown and Will Smallbone.
A Dominant First Half Display
Stoke's intent was clear from the outset. They pressed high, dominated possession, and created several early chances. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Brown finished off a well-worked move with a powerful strike from inside the box. Hull struggled to cope with Stoke's intensity and intensity and were lucky to go into half-time only one goal down.
A Fightback For Hull, But Stoke Hold On
The second half began with Hull looking much more threatening. They created a number of chances, forcing Stoke's goalkeeper Jack Bonham into a string of impressive saves. The pressure eventually paid off when Oscar Estupiñán bundled in a close-range finish to draw Hull level in the 70th minute. However, Stoke's resilience shone through. Just six minutes later, Smallbone restored their lead with a composed finish after a neat interchange with Brown.
A Winning Start For Alex Neil
The win was a positive start for new Stoke manager Alex Neil, who arrived at the club this summer. He has brought a new sense of purpose and structure to the team, and the performance against Hull was a testament to his early impact.
A Frustrating Start for Liam Rosenior
Conversely, the result will be a frustrating one for Hull manager Liam Rosenior. His team struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half and ultimately paid the price for their slow start. However, their second-half performance showed glimpses of promise and they will be looking to build on that going forward.
What's Next
Stoke will travel to Millwall next weekend, while Hull will host West Bromwich Albion at the MKM Stadium. Both teams will be hoping to build on their opening day performances and establish themselves as contenders in what promises to be a competitive Championship season.
