SWANS: Opoku and Idah strikes see Swansea to opening day win over Stoke

A league debut goal for Joseph Opoku and a second-half strike from substitute Adam Idah saw Swansea City pick up all three points with a 2-1 win over Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.

Swansea began the new Championship season with victory on the road, Idah scoring with his first touch after coming off the bench to secure a comeback win.

The Potters struck first and went ahead inside the opening ten minutes when left-back Eric Bocat netted his first goal for the club, a deflected effort which went in off the underside of the bar.

Swansea responded swiftly, summer signing Opoku firing in Moussa Yeo’s cross powerfully at the far post via a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Bocat.

Former Celtic forward Idah then struck the game’s decisive blow just seconds after coming on in the second half, the Republic of Ireland striker turning the ball home from Josh Tymon’s driven cross.

It was a disappointing day for Stoke, who saw Sorba Thomas’ strike brilliantly saved by Swansea stopper Lawrence Vigouroux shortly before Idah’s decisive goal.

In a frantic finale, Idah nearly extended the advantage when he hooked a falling ball into the side-netting after substitute Jisung Eom had chipped in an inviting cross from the left.

Home goalkeeper Viktor Johansson then tipped away the South Korean’s effort after Eom arrived to meet Marko Stamenic’s floated cross.

There was still time for Stoke to snatch a late point as Vigouroux denied Bocat a second goal of the game.

But it was the Swans who celebrated an opening day victory for the first time in six years, and who were victorious in Staffordshire having won only once in their past 15 visits to the bet365 Stadium.

There was a familiar face in the home midfield. Ethan Galbraith, sold to Stoke in an eight-figure deal at the end of June, started against his former club, with head coach Vitor Matos having warned his players beforehand not to make the game about one man.

The visitors lined up without Cameron Burgess, ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, and it was Stephen Welsh who came in alongside captain Ben Cabango for his first competitive appearance since joining from Celtic.

Academy product Filip Lissah made his first league start at right-back before making way for Josh Key just before the hour.

Zan Vipotnik, the subject of a rejected bid from Hull City this week, led the line before being replaced by Idah on 65 minutes. New signing Ross Stewart was not involved, having joined too late in pre-season to be considered.

Swansea’s first home league game of the season is against Sheffield United next Saturday.

Swansea City XI

Lawrence Vigouroux; Filip Lissah (Josh Key 55), Ben Cabango (captain), Stephen Welsh, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton (Leo Walta 84), Marko Stamenic, Elijah Just (Melker Widell 65); Joseph Opoku, Moussa Yeo (Jisung Eom 65), Zan Vipotnik (Adam Idah 65).

Stoke City XI

Viktor Johansson (captain), Luke Graham, Svante Ingelsson (Djibril Soumare 70), Sorba Thomas, Ethan Galbraith, Ben Wilmot, Eric Bocat, Bosun Lawal (Maxi Talovierov 46), Tomas Rigo (Bae Junho 70), Sam Gallagher (Robert Bozenik 70), Million Manhoef.

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com