JAMES MCCLEAN WAS on target as bottom-of-the-table Stoke City earned a 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday that was as vital as it was dramatic.
McClean handed Stoke an early lead, but Wednesday turned the game around with two goals in seven second-half minutes. Stoke looked to be heading for yet another defeat until Tyrese Campbell rescued what looked to be a late, late equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.
Stoke didn’t stop there, however, and Sam Vokes scored a crucial winning goal in the 98th minute. The result lifts Stoke from the foot of the table and out of the relegation zone, ahead of Luton Town on goal difference.
Luton were involved in their own high-scoring late drama of their own, and were denied a win at home to Fulham by a late Bobby Reid equaliser.
Irish striker James Collins had given Luton a 2-1 lead midway through the first-half after Reid had cancelled out Kazenga LuaLua’s early opener. Aleksander Mitrovic cancelled that lead in the 78th minute, before Harry Cornick fired Luton in front for a third time six minutes later.
There was further drama however, with Reid firing in an equaliser to leave Fulham fifth, behind Wednesday on goal difference.
Wigan have dropped to the bottom of the table in Stoke’s absence, as they were denied a win at home to Derby by a late Martyn Waghorn equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Robbie Keane’s Middlesbrough, meanwhile, continued to inch their way from danger with a 1-0 win over Huddersfield.
At the top of the table, West Brom were held 1-1 away to Barnsley, and will see their lead at the top cut to a point if Leeds beat Preston later today.
Brentford are third, following a 3-1 win over Swansea. Elsewhere, Blackburn and Birmingham drew 1-1, while Bristol City slipped from the play-off spots with a 3-2 loss to Charlton.
Lewis Grabban scored twice in a 2-0 win for Nottingham Forest away to Hull, while Cardiff and Millwall drew 1-1.
We need a 10 who wont be involved with Ireland so it’s a good signing, he won’t shunt Madigan and covers if Madigan is away
Great signing. He’s a perfect foil for Madigan in many ways. Playing style is more about control than Madigan’s gunslinging, he’s a great kicker from hand and tee plus he’ll be the steady hand we need at 10 when Madser is called up to the Irish squad next year.
Hopefully we’ve a big Aussie outside back signing on the way too…
Who’s that?
Madigan just can’t catch a break
Jimmy Cowen gave him some shot in that video
Should we not wait and see how he performs?
Where’s the fun in that….? ;-)
He is average at best. Seen him play quite a bit when he played with the Hurricanes. Doesn’t have the bottle for top level rugby.
What a load of utter crap. Jimmy was actually just starting to play his best rugby before he left. He is like the other 10 that left by the name of Nick a sorry loss to our fair shores. You sir have no class
Thy need to spend money to shore up 4 & 5 – not another 10……
Well they signed McCarthy from Connacht and Ben Marshall looks like a promising young prospect in their academy.
Fair point – McCarthy decent operator & haven’t seen the other guy in action, but its when we have a Hines, Elsom or Thorn that things start to happen …. great if we can grow our own of that capability.
Hmm. I wouldn’t b as positive about this guy… Id put him in a similar bracket as steenson but he’s Irish. I guess the financial reasons had a hand in this signing…
lol, why all the red thumbs??? Did i offend the poor Leinster new guy?? Hope Im wrong but cant see this guy being any more than an average Rabo player……
He’s perfect, as he won’t stunt Madigan but can step in when needed.
I for one don’t want Leinster signing players who get in the way of home grown players but players who can do a squad job when the irfu get in the way
Steenson is Irish. Look him up.
ERM….I know, I said that….
No but he’s taking a NIQ place. My point is Steenson wouldn’t have and at 28, is unlikely to feature in green….
Np ;-)
Cain I have the greatest admiration for Munster Rugby and always hope they do well unless they are playing Leinster.
Cian sorry the auto correct got the better of me.
Every province needs stand-in players when Ireland duties call. Leinster have been fortunate in the likes of Contepomi and Nacewa and hopefully this new recruit will make his own impact. The Rabo is not a second rate completion as Munster is finding out. Hopefully they will make the top four? It’s no longer a given.
Should read competition
I don’t think we will 2 b honest…. All our eggs are in the Heineken Cup basket I think….