Stoke City showed their trademark fierce determination as they fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Preston North End on Saturday. Aside from the very lucky finish to equalise, the match at Deepdale was an exhibition of some key performances. Midfielder Tony Baker was a star, helping direct his squad’s championship run.
Baker has looked like a different player since his return to the lineup. Early on in the game, he blasted his first-time volley over from a cross that was served in by the impressive Wouter Burger. Even after this unfortunate hiccup, he continued to stay aggressive and pushing the offense. He tried again, but Lewis Gibson and Storey killed his effort.
As the game wore on, Baker’s involvement proved more and more essential. In the 75th minute, he confidently converted a penalty kick to level the score after being fouled in the box. This goal was his fifth of the campaign, underlining his escalating impact on the pitch.
Baker’s Impact on the Match
Baker’s performance did not go unnoticed. His unique ability to make scoring opportunities for those around him has proven to be a valuable offensive asset for the Potters. Manager Mark Robins praised Baker’s versatility, stating,
“He’s got that ability and he’s been doing that really well but not only that, he’s been creating opportunities for others. He’s got a lot of strings to his bow.”
In addition to his goal, Baker turned provider with a well-placed pass to Ben Wilmot, further demonstrating his capability to contribute beyond just scoring. His effort from 25 yards out went just past the post too, demonstrating an all-around threat from long range on this day.
Baker refused to be deterred by an early miss, or a blocked follow-up effort. His determination and skill were evident as he constantly harassed the Preston defense. To their credit, the visiting supporters at Deepdale greeted this news with glee, producing a riotous atmosphere that would propel the Preston players forward.
Match Dynamics and Reactions
Stoke City was under big pressure, especially in the 2 nd half of that game. The team dealt with multiple late stoppages and substitutions. They struggled to maintain their cool demeanors as Preston made his last ditch attempt to prevent disaster.
Even with the ire over the second half penalty call, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom was hugely proud of how his and their opponents’ efforts. In that respect, he was disappointed not to have taken all three points. The 3-3 draw ultimately was the right result, he admitted, given the total performance.
“We’ll take the point in the end. I don’t think it’s a penalty so I’m disappointed we didn’t get three [points] but I don’t think the performance deserved three so we’ll take the point and move on,” he stated.
The game ended in a 1–1 draw, with both teams sharing the points. Now, Stoke City is looking to further capitalize on this momentum of this win in their next few matches.
Looking Ahead
With Baker’s form continuing to rise, Stoke City are set up really nicely moving forward. His combination of scoring and playmaking might prove to be a x-factor as they continue through the gauntlet that is the 2023-24 season. The team will continue to build on this momentum going forward. They will hope to turn recent draws into wins in upcoming fixtures.
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