Hughes Pleased With Potters’ Persistence

MARK HUGHES says a point was the least his side deserved from Saturday’s first ever outing at West Ham United’s London Stadium.

Spanish maestro Bojan stepped off the bench to claim a thoroughly deserved point for the Potters and prolong their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six matches.

Michail Antonio’s goal 10 minutes earlier looked like it could be enough to claim the Hammers all three points, before Bojan clinically fired home following tremendous work from Jonathan Walters.

Speaking to bet365 following the match, the Welshman paid tribute to his side for the way they fought back from a goal behind in the capital.

“We went behind against the run of play, having been predominantly the better team throughout the game to be perfectly honest,” he said.

“That set us aback a little bit and we had to regroup, but credit to the lads because they dug in, kept at it and ultimately got their rewards late on.

“At that point, when they scored, we were well in control of the game I would suggest and looked the side more likely than them to score the opening goal.

“We had to change things around and we brought Crouchy and Bojan on and they both clearly caused them major problems.

“Thankfully, the pair of them came on with real focus and determination, which I wanted them to do, and they played a big part in the result today.”

Hughes was full of praise for both Walters and Egyptian winger Ramadan, who came into the side at the expense of the absent key duo of Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri.

“Clearly we were missing Xherdan and Marko today and that would have affected any side, because they are two hugely important players for us,” he added.

“But the two guys who came in, Ramadan and Jonathan Walters, were absolutely fantastic to be honest.

“Ramadan was superb, and his work rate and desire was absolutely second to none – he is a really exciting player for us, especially when you take in to the fact that he is still 19-years-old.

“Jonny, as ever, put in an almighty shift and was able to affect the game in a really positive manner for us – he set Bojan up with a tremendous ball and even had the ball not gone in then he would have won the penalty anyway for the challenge on him from their ‘keeper.”

source: stokecityfc.com