Stoke City player ratings vs Oxford as Lewis Baker double has away end actually believing what they sing

Reaction from the Kassam Stadium as Lewis Baker and Steven Nzonzi send Stoke City up to second in the Championship

Steven Nzonzi’s first Stoke City goal in 10-and-a-half years and a Lewis Baker double earned Stoke City a 3-0 win at Oxford that sends the Potters up to second.

Baker scored Stoke’s first from close range after a quick counter-attack before Nzonzi swept home a Baker corner to give the Potters a 2-0 half-time lead. Baker put the game beyond doubt early in the second half when he stroked home from inside the penalty area.

This was Stoke’s first ever league win away at Oxford and only the second win over Gary Rowett in 11 attempts since he left Stoke in early 2019. It nicely tees up a first against second Mark Robins reunion with Coventry at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Oxford could actually have gone ahead in the first minute when Brian de Keersmaecker had a free back post header after Million Manhoef had inexplicably directed a clearance wide for the hosts to cross rather than down the pitch. De Keersmaecker planted it wide from close range, with pressure from Viktor Johansson his only mitigation.

Oxford pressed high – but when Stoke got it past that swarm, there was space to exploit. They warned Oxford about that once, when Nzonzi picked out Sorba Thomas to sprint into the box, before they took the lead in the 10th minute.

Manhoef led the counter down the middle, with Divin Mubama on his left and Baker on his right. He waited for the moment to slip it to Mubama but the pass was a bit too strong – and Mubama’s shot wasn’t great, but Jamie Cumming could only parry and Baker was alert to the tap-in. That is his 29th goal for Stoke.

Stoke made it two in the 32nd minute when Nzonzi ran to the front post to meet a Baker corner from the right and wellied it past Cumming. That was his first Stoke goal since May 2015 and a 6-1 win over Liverpool.

Placheta might have reduced the deficit before half-time when Ash Phillips slipped while dealing with a cross and the winger behind him had time to pick his spot – but sent a shot wide of the far post. Johansson had to pedal backwards pretty quickly to pat a Mills mis-hit cross straight after the re-start too.

But Stoke were excellent on the break and soon made it three. Manhoef cushioned a lovely pass for Tchamadeu to step up through the gears down the wing just like he had done at the weekend. This time he had the presence of mind, mid-charge, to square to Baker in the middle rather than go alone. Baker’s first shot was blocked but the rebound gave him time and space to pick his spot and he didn’t let that opportunity slip. His 30th goal for Stoke.

The 30-year-old midfielder was sniffing a hat-trick and he might have had it when he was picked out by Thomas with a neat centre from the left but he couldn’t quite turn it on target.

Stoke fans were singing in the rain, teasing Oxford about the open end behind one of the goals, asking for noise from the car park at one point but mostly singing about going up the football league as Mark Robins’ barmy army. It’s been a while since they’ve been to sing that actually mean it.

Here are the player ratings from the Kassam Stadium

Johansson: A presence in his own penalty area. Had to back pedal to keep out mis-hit Mills cross. 7

Tchamadeu: Superb play to set up Stoke’s third for Baker with the presence of mind to slow down and square. Another booking. 7

Bocat: A more convincing showing. Still at his best when he’s going forward but has to make sure Thomas has space too. 7

Wilmot: Captain on 26th birthday. Looks like he’s enjoying doing the basics at the moment. 7.5

Phillips: Largely dominant again in middle of defence. Had to take a booking when he slipped in second-half. 7

Seko: Buzzed around central midfield, winning a couple of headers and providing Stoke with platform to counter. 7

Nzonzi: Excellently executed goal, dashing onto Baker corner and getting foot up to finish past Cumming. Saw a lot of the ball in best performance of second coming. 7.5

Baker: Good run to get into right place for tap-in then set up second goal from corner. Took his second goal well too. 8

Manhoef: A constant threat with his close control and turn of pace. Excellent pass to Tchamadeu in build up to third. 7.5

Thomas: Gets supporters off their seats when he picks up the ball and darts towards goal. 7

Mubama: No glory this time but a key part of attack that was constantly dangerous on the break. 7

Substitutes

Junho (for Baker, 63): Some neat touches to move the ball smartly in the final third. 7

Pearson (for Seko, 63): On to keep things sewn up at the base of midfield through closing stages. 7

Cisse (for Manhoef, 73): Put himself around in cameo, heading one into side netting and shooting over. 7

Bozenik (for Mubama, 73): A couple of nice little contributions as he led line to see out win. 7

Rigo (for Nzonzi, 79): On for the finale and a chance to drive forward from midfield. 7

Not used: Bonham, Gibson, Talovierov, Cresswell.

Referee: Leigh Doughty (Lancashire) 5

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