Russell strike sets Potters up for win over poor Wolves

Stoke 2 Wolves 1

Dave Jones’ side were relegated from the top flight last season conceding 77 goals and struggled against a Potters front-line yesterday which included former Molineux striker Ade Akinbiyi.

The Wolves boss had his own pre-season striker problems with Henri Camara moving to Celtic for the season on loan and Vio Ganea, Carl Cort and George Ndah injured - and his stand-in strikeforce barely made a chance.

Tony Pulis’ side took the lead with a stunning strike from Darel Russell on 55 minutes. Akinbiyi had an effort blocked but the ball rolled to the 23-year-old on the edge of the area and he drilled low and hard off the post giving Paul Jones nochance.

Wolves’ response lacked any real purpose, their attack minutes after the goal only ending in a stifled penalty appeal for a trip on Miller.

The Potters doubled their lead after 70 minutes when Akinbiyi tangled with Mark Clyde in the area when through on goal. Stoke were awarded a penalty and skipper Clive Clarke confidently sent the ball low past Jones.

Gifton Noel-Williams handled with four minutes to go and Miller placed his penalty into the top corner to give Wolves hope, but an equaliser would have been an injustice to Stoke’s performance.

Wolves tried to apply pressure in the final moments but could find no way past the Stoke defence. Olofinjana had a shot from 20 yards, but it flew well over.

Akinbiyi was substituted for Chris Greenacre in injury-time and received a standing ovation from the home crowd for his contribution to the three points.

STOKE: de Goey, Halls, Clarke, Thomas, Taggart, Neal (Henry 79), Hall, Brammer, Russell, Akinbiyi (Greenacre 90), Noel-Williams (Asaba 90).

WOLVES: Jones, Clyde, Naylor (Cooper 75), Craddock, Bjorklund (Edwards 63), Newton, Kennedy, Olofinjana, Cameron, Miller, Sturridge (Clarke 45).

Referee: A Kaye (W Yorkshire).