Lambert's reign begins
Stoke 2 Huddersfield 0: Paul Lambert’s first game in charge is a resounding success
In what could be described as the 'perfect' first game for Lambert his side boasted 11 shots ,with six on target, and kept a clean sheet.
PAUL LAMBERT made a winning start as Stoke boss, as he inspired the Potters to their first win in six games.
Second half strikes from Joe Allen and Mame Diouf were enough to see off David Wagner’s Terriers and move Stoke out of the relegation places.
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It was the Potters’ first points since Boxing Day when they shared a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield in Yorkshire.
Wagner’s Terriers left with their tails between their legs as their away day misery continued.
They have now won just won of their last 11 road trips in the Premier League, to clock up just two away wins all season.
Stoke, with some of their key players such as skipper Ryan Shawcross back from injury, looked a different side from the one which crashed out of the FA Cup to League Two Coventry City in Mark Hughes’ final match in charge.
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Xherdan Shaqiri missed a glorious chance to put the Potters in front in first half stoppage time but was denied when his lob was clawed out of mid air by the giant paw of Town goalie Jonas Lossl.
However the little Swiss winger made amends after the break.
He thought he had given Stoke the lead when he crashed an acrobatic scissors kick in off the underside of the bar – only for the spectacular effort to be ruled out for offside.
However Stoke took the lead after 53 minutes when Charlie Adam clipped a through ball to Maxim Choupo-Moting who sprang the Huddersfield offside trap.
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His low cross was initially missed by Diouf but Joe Allen came steaming in at the back post to slam the ball beyond Lossl to send Lambert off celebrating as he punched the air in delight.
Sixten minutes later Stoke put the match beyond the Terriers with a stunning second goal.
Choupo-Moting’s crisp through pass was brilliantly back-heeled by Shaqiri and Diouf didn’t break stride as he slid the ball beyond Lossl and in off the post.
Lambert was handed another bonus as his side kept out Huddersfield at the other end as Jack Butland enjoyed only his third clean sheet of the season.
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