MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 15:35:18| >> :120:10736:10736:
[monks data]
Wycombe Wanderers
Championship | Gameweek 15
Dec 2, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Adams Park
Stoke logo

Wycombe
0 - 1
Stoke


Samuel (15'), Jacobson (67')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Powell (72')
Cousins (57'), McClean (73'), Chester (80'), Clucas (90+6')

Michael O'Neill welcomes return of supporters

Michael O'Neill welcomes return of supporters
© Reuters
It was the first time Wycombe fans had been able to watch their side in the second tier.

Stoke manager Michael O'Neill enjoyed having "a bit of an atmosphere" again after his side ran out 1-0 winners against Wycombe in front of 1,000 supporters at Adams Park.

Wycombe fans were watching their team in the Championship for the first time, but they ultimately saw them come away with nothing as Nick Powell's header settled what was a tight contest.

Tier three coronavirus restrictions mean supporters can not yet return to Stoke's bet365 Stadium, but playing in front of a crowd away from home still made a welcome change for O'Neill after being behind closed doors since the sport resumed in June.

"It was positive, really good," the former Northern Ireland boss said.

"We've been playing now for so long in empty stadiums and, at times, it's a little bit soulless, but tonight, even though there was only 1,000 people in the ground, we had a bit of an atmosphere.

"They were contesting the decisions, obviously, the referee was giving for and against them and, overall, I feel it was a positive that they were back.

"There's been a lot talked about teams that will be permitted fans and teams that won't be permitted fans.

"I don't really have any strong opinion on that – we're not permitted fans at Stoke, for example – but it was good to see fans here tonight."

Wycombe's David Wheeler hit a post after only four minutes, while Danny Batth had a header cleared off the line in what was a lively opening.

But the match was ultimately settled in the 72nd minute when Powell rose at the back post to head in James McClean's cross.

"It was a good finish," O'Neill added. "He had a good chance before that. Whatever we've asked of him he's done his job for the team and, overall, his numbers are good this season."

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said: "We were just done by one touch of class, there was nothing in it.

"I think our fans have seen that we can compete at this level – I've been saying it on camera and our fans have been saying 'well, we want to see it.'

"They've seen it tonight and our fans can compete at this level as well because they were awesome tonight.

"I'm really proud of the players, but it was just that one moment of quality.

"We've had a couple of shots, we hit the post in the first few minutes and there's some serious decisions the referee has had to make tonight.

"There was a potential red card on Fred (Onyedinma), there was a handball at the end that could have been a penalty, while Jason McCarthy has been dumped WWF-style and has had to come off injured."

ID:424824: cacheID:424824:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3871:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Teemu Pukki celebrates after scoring for Norwich City against Stoke City in the Championship on November 24, 2020
Read Next:
Wednesday's Championship predictions including Luton Town vs. Norwich City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!