Million Manhoef secures Stoke City point with super strike against Norwich.

 

Million Manhoef scored a fantastic equaliser on his return to the starting lineup, ensuring Stoke City earned another point against the threatening Norwich City at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday. Manhoef curled home on the stroke of half-time, only two minutes after Ante Crnac had put the Canaries ahead, finally breaching Viktor Johansson’s goal, who had previously done an excellent job of keeping the visitors out. Stoke started off well. Wouter Burger sent a brilliantly weighted ball over the top for Tom Cannon to race onto, and he tested stand-in goalkeeper George Long early on. Cannon then had a shot stopped from close range.

Norwich grew into the game after being found by fellow loanee Andrew Moran. The hosts were grateful for Johansson in goal, who denied Marcelino Nunez from close range with a terrific reactionary save. He also denied Canaries captain Kenny McLean from a header from a corner. Nunez and Burger were both forced off for different injury issues before the goals arrived before half time. Norwich’s opener was well worked if not

in the back, ricocheting into the path of teammate Crnac, who finished strongly. At that point, the Potters might have ambled towards halftime. Instead, their reaction was immediate and great. While Cannon was unable to reach Ben Wilmot’s centre, Stoke recycled the ball, and Manhoef gathered on the right side of the penalty area before performing his usual cut inside and finishing sweetly. The second half was a goalless affair, but entertaining nonetheless; Stoke could’ve won it, through half chances generated by the likes of Moran and Koumas, and if Manhoef had measured his pass on the breakaway better when the hosts sought to hit back from a Canary corner, it might’ve been all three points for Narcis Pelach’s

men – in the hands of his former bosses. Still, there was a lot to appreciate, and despite the absence of seasoned Sam Gallagher, who is out injured for the foreseeable future, there is an intriguing new generation of attack-minded talent emerging and gelling following their transfer window acquisitions. Stoke City welcome Norwich City to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as the domestic schedule resumes after the October international break. The Potters finished their season on a high note, defeating Portsmouth at home before picking up another point and a clean sheet against Swansea City.

This is a momentous occasion for new manager Narcis Pelach, as the Spaniard welcomes back to the Potteries his old employers, the club where he served on the coaching staff before taking over as Stoke’s manager to replace Steven Schumacher. The Canaries have been in good form, collecting ten points from the previous 12 available, and Borja Sainz is the division’s joint top scorer with seven goals. An intriguing afternoon is in store. Join Joe Chapman at the Bet365 Stadium, where he’ll be providing continuous updates throughout the afternoon, as well as post-match reaction and analysis on StokeonTrentLive.

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