Two first half strikes from Jonathon Walters and Marc Muniesa secured a relatively comfortable victory for Stoke City over newly promoted Burnley at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Potters were the dominant side in the opening forty-five minutes, demonstrating their quality through two thoroughly well worked goals, but were forced onto the back foot during the second period as the visitors attempted to force their way back into the contest.
The victory means that Mark Hughes has guided the club into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this campaign, just three months after the Staffordshire outfit had sat bottom after picking up just one point from their first five games. With the threat of relegation firmly behind them, Stoke City supporters may well be looking expectantly towards a Europa League spot.
Burnley’s awful away form continues and defeat means that Sean Dyche’s side have yet to win on the road so far this season, picking up just one solitary point at Old Trafford. Despite pilling on the pressure in the second half, probably as a result of the hairdryer treatment from the manager, The Clarets simply lacked the quality, creativity and cutting edge in the final third.