Rotherham United 0-1 Stoke City: Lewis Baker strike extends Potters run

Lewis Baker’s piledriver was enough to maintain Stoke’s undefeated start under new boss Steven Schumacher with victory at bottom side Rotherham.

Rotherham, who remain bottom of the table, made changes after the interval but rarely threatened an equaliser.

The Millers are now eight points adrift of safety, while Schumacher’s side climb two places to 17th.

There were few chances for either side in the early stages, although former Stoke midfielder Sam Clucas went close for the Millers with a long-range drive that fizzed just wide of the post.

Andre Vidigal – who had scored twice during the Potters’ 4-1 win against Rotherham on the opening day of the season – almost broke the deadlock, forcing an agile tip-over from home goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

But there was nothing Johansson could do deep into first-half added time as Stoke won a free-kick and Baker stepped up to slam it beyond him into the top left-hand corner.

Rotherham boss Leam Richardson, who had guided his side to a three-match unbeaten run over the Christmas and New Year period, made good use of the substitutes’ bench after the restart.

However, although the Millers looked dangerous at set-pieces, they were unable to carve out any clear opportunities to draw level.

It was Stoke who looked the more likely to score again, with Vidigal firing another shot just over the bar and then testing Johansson again in the closing stages.

Rotherham head coach Leam Richardson told BBC Radio Sheffield:

“I think the game was possibly a 0-0 – both keepers didn’t really have much to do. We cancelled each other out in large parts, but it’s a moment of real quality that wins the game so congratulations to Stoke.

“In the second half particularly I thought we were the aggressors without really opening them up and creating that quality of chance.

“We took the game up the pitch 10 to 15 yards and we got into areas, final third entries where you want to be more aggressive with your decision-making.

“You can never disregard the work ethic and endeavour from the players but we need those moments of quality to make a difference.”

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke:

“It [Baker’s goal] was exceptional, an absolute worldie and obviously the goal that wins us the game. Lewis (Baker) has got so much quality, he can strike the ball so well with both feet.

“As soon as he was stood over it, me and Hughesy (assistant Mark Hughes) said ‘we fancy him’ because we see him do that in training, day in, day out.

“He had a tough time with a serious injury at the start of the season and he’s probably a little bit off the level of match sharpness he can get to, but he’s going to be such an important player for us, as a midfielder that can score goals.

“I’m really pleased to get another clean sheet. Rotherham have had some really good results here of late – they beat Middlesbrough and drew with Sunderland so it’s not an easy place to come. I don’t think they had a shot on target which shows how well we’ve defended.”