Phil Jagielka scored against his former club to help Stoke City produce one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the Championship. The 40-year-old, who made 309 appearances for the Blades during two stints, scored one goal and assisted on another, becoming the only player in his career to do so in the same game. As the game’s first creator, Jagielka set up center-back partner Ben Wilmot to give the hosts an early lead. The seasoned defender gave Stoke the advantage after the Blades had tied the score on Rhian Brewster’s first goal since January. The steadfast Jagielka scored for the first time since April 2019, breaking a pretty lengthy goalless streak.
And in extra time, substitute Liam Delap made his club debut as the Potters gave new manager Alex Neil his first victory at home. Despite being winless for the third game in a row, Sheffield United still led the Championship. Despite their previous wobble, Paul Heckingbottom’s team came within 30 seconds of scoring when James McAtee pulled a shot just wide. And the loanee from Manchester City’s early error cost them the game when the hosts scored after only four minutes. Wilmot was in position at the far post when a crisp Jagielka pass found him, and he fired a shot from close range for his third goal in six games.
When his thundering shot from distance crashed off the crossbar, a spirited Fosu threatened to restore the advantage for the home team. United might have even taken the lead themselves, but Iliman Ndiaye’s shot hit the base of the post, leaving Bursik helpless. But Jagielka, who nodded in a Lewis Baker corner and netted for the first time in more than three years, was the one who put an end to the afternoon. As Stoke started to exert more pressure, Fosu experienced another setback when Oliver Norwood successfully cleared his clean volley off the line.
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