Stoke City are up to ninth in the Premier League after they beat a poor Middlesbrough side 2-0 at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Marko Arnautovic was the hero after he scored twice in the first-half to leave Middlesbrough languishing in 18th position.
The Austrian international scored his 5th and 6th Premier League goals of the season and Boro have now gone four games without finding the back of the net. It makes for grim reading for Aitor Karanka as his side never looked like causing an upset in Staffordshire.
After their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham last Sunday, Mark Hughes made two changes with Geoff Cameron and Glen Johnson coming in for Charlie Adam and Phil Bardsley.
Middlesbrough made five changes from the side that lost at Crystal Palace last Saturday. George Friend made a welcome return to defence and Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton were preferred in midfield alongside Martin De Roon. Rudy Gestede and Adama Traore replaced Alvaro Negredo and Cristhian Stuani up top.
Both teams started slowly but it was perhaps the hosts who showed more enthusiasm. Joe Allen was looking lively but the games first incident came in the 7th minute when Daniel Ayala was replaced by Bernardo Espinosaafter he tweaked his hamstring.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Ramadan Sobhi almost scored his first Stoke goal but he was denied by the cross bar. Lovely build up play involving Peter Crouch, Allen and Arnautovic found the youngster but he found the woodwork from close range. It was a warning for Boro as Stoke began to get into their stride.
On 19 minutes, Allen was presented with a chance after Gaston Ramirez didn't clear his lines properly. The Welsh international quite amusingly feel over the 'invisible man' whilst 20 yards from goal but Leadbitter allowed Ryan Shawcross back in but he was unable to pick out Crouch.
De Roon almost broke through for Karanka's side with 25 minutes played but he found Cameron in brilliant form. The defender-come-midfielder got back and blocked the Dutchman's effort when a shot on goal looked most likely.
The home crowd were to be rewarded just before the half-hour mark when Arnautovic scored his first goal of the afternoon. A searching ball over the top found the Austrian just onside and he controlled the ball exquisitely with Friend in close proximity. The latter was nutmegged and Arnautovic managed to round Victor Valdes and smashed home beyond two defenders.
The goal settled Stoke and the began to leave their impression on the game and knocked the ball around with confidence. Arnautovic and Allen continued to cause Boro problems but it was Glenn Whelan's corner on 42 minutes that led to the 27-year-old doubling Stoke's lead.
Crouch headed the ball down towards the goal line and Arnautovic reacted fastest and smashed the ball beyond the despairing Valdes with Shawcross flinging a leg towards the ball as well. It was far too easy for Hughes' side.
21 - No Austrian has scored more @premierleague goals than Marko Arnautovic; 21, level with Paul Scharner. Alpine.
The half-time interval saw one change from Karankawith Stuani coming on for the largely ineffective Ramirez. The change didn't bring about an immediate change in fortunes for the visitors and this was reiterated when Ben Gibson had a goal chalked off on the hour mark.
Leadbitter's free-kick was whipped in and turned home by Gibson but Bernardo had moved too early. It was a relief for Crouch who had lost his marker in the melee. Then, on 66 minutes, Arnautovic was taken off to a standing ovation -Mame Biram Diouf on to replace him.
308 - Marko Arnautovic has scored his first home Premier League goal for 308 days, last netting against Sunderland in April 2016. Overdue.
Saido Berahino came on with just over 12 minutes left for Crouch and he almost scored in injury time but was denied by Valdes. There was still time for the same man to thwart Ibrahim Affelay with a superb save to deny the former Barcelona winger.
As the full time whistle blew, the stark reality of relegation is become far too evident for Karanka.
The Spaniard hasn't seen his side win in ten games now and they'll soon find themselves surplus to requirements in the Premier League -unless they can find their shooting boots.
2�⃣ Mark Hughes makes two changes to his #SCFC side today, @GeoffCameron and @glen_johnson return for @Charlie26Adam and Phil Bardsley. pic.twitter.com/WMaLeB6Hhq
TEAM NEWS | Here's how #Boro will line up to face @stokecity this afternoon #UTB pic.twitter.com/deccjl4AHK