Stoke City climb to sixth as Thomas and Pearson sink Swansea City | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Stoke City beat Swansea City 2-1 to rise from eighth to sixth in the Championship. Ben Pearson put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute with a crisp strike from outside the box. Sorba Thomas doubled the lead from Bae Jun-Ho's cross (60.) before Zan Vipotnik pulled one back from Melker Widell's delivery (77.). Swansea City controlled 59.4% possession and had 14 attempts, but could not find an equaliser. Stoke City visit Watford next, while Swansea City drop from 18th to 19th and host Wrexham.

Player of the Match: Sorba Thomas was the key influence, adding the second goal and supplying 11 crosses plus two key passes to keep Stoke City on the front foot.

Stat of the Match: Stoke City posted a 55.6% shot accuracy, turning nine attempts into five efforts on target to make their pressure count.

Three Things We Learned: Pearson's first half strike from range gave Stoke the platform. Bae Jun-Ho created the second with a cross and added two attempts, one on target. Viktor Johansson made four saves to secure the points.