English
EspañolThere was a palpable tension emanating from the stands and the pitch during the last 10 minutes or so of a win that keeps the season interesting for a little while longer for Stoke.
Seven league games without a victory will create the conditions for that sort of anxiety to thrive and a one-goal lead against limited opposition did not ever quite feel like it was enough.
In truth, Stoke were well worth the win against Oxford United, created plenty and scored two well worked goals in a game full of positives for manager Mark Robins.
Lamine Cisse worked relentlessly and deserved his goal while Jesurun Rak-Sakyi got his first for the club and earned valuable minutes as he builds his match fitness.
Million Manhoef showed he can affect games significantly as a number 10 and Eric Bocat caused all sorts of problems for the visitors when moving inside from full-back into a position usually occupied by a number eight.
Stoke got forward in numbers, created plenty and could have won by a larger margin, looking pretty comfortable for the most part despite inverting one full-back high up the pitch and allowing Tomas Rigo the freedom to attack from his position at the base of midfield.
One defensive lapse for the Oxford goal aside, they were good and fun to watch.
Whether they choose to play in that way at league leaders Coventry City on Saturday remains to be seen but ending that winless run was vital and they did.
With several players reportedly nearing a return from injury too, that tension and anxiety will hopefully begin to dissipate.