The Potters took an early lead when Steven Fletcher turned in a low cross from Powell after a well-worked corner, with Mikel involved in the buildup to the goal.

The former Nigeria international captained Stoke City for the fifth straight Championship game and started in a deep-lying midfield role alongside Jordan Thompson in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Reflecting on Stoke City's great start to the game, O'Neill was quoted as saying by StokeonTrentLive : "It was a well-worked corner. Rory Delap does a great job on set pieces.

"It was a really good piece of play from John Obi and Nick Powell and a nice little finish from Steven Fletcher. It was a dream start for us to be honest."

Mikel was cautioned for a bad foul on Watford striker Ismaila Sarr with eleven minutes left on the clock .

Super Eagles assistant captain William Troost-Ekong was an unused substitute for the Hornets.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Photo Credit : stokecityfc.com

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