Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson celebrates victory over Blackburn
Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson produced a superb display as the Potters won for only the second time on the road this season at Blackburn.
A solitary win at Plymouth in late August was the only previous success of the Potters season away from the bet365 Stadium.
But a second-half strike from Million Manhoef, a converted penalty from Tom Cannon after Danny Batth pulled down Bae Jun-Ho, and a heroic performance from Johansson saw them pick up all three points.
Of the three, it was the Sweden international Johansson who produced the match-winning display, producing a string of brilliant saves to deny Rovers.
The home side carved out plenty of chances but could find no way past an inspired Johansson as their goalless run stretched to four games.
He produced two decent saves in a first half Blackburn dominated, keeping out efforts from Yuki Ohashi with his legs and low to his left.
Going forward, Stoke, who had struggled to deal with the midfield presence of Todd Cantwell, had a few chances of their own.
A penalty shout was waved away when Enda Stevens’s cross from the left byline appeared to strike Callum Brittain’s arm.
And six minutes before the break, Manhoef was denied by Aynsley Pears at his near post with a stabbed effort.
Three minutes after the re-start, it was Blackburn who threatened to break the deadlock, Johansson saving low to his left to deny Lewis Travis’s curling effort from the edge of the box.
But Stoke did find a first goal away from home since August when a low shot from Manhoef from the edge of the area gave them the lead on 57 minutes.
After that it was big Swede again who kept them in front repelling everything Blackburn threw at him on a night when the hosts had 25 shots.
Tyryhs Dolan saw one curling effort tipped round the post at full stretch on 71 minutes and the Potters goalkeeper then twice denied Andreas Weimann late on.
Makhtar Gueye was to miss Rovers' clearest chance of the game, the Senegalese heading over from close range after a pinpoint Cantwell cross.
To add to the home side's frustrations Stoke went on to double their lead with five minutes left after Batth brought down Jun-Ho.
Cannon converted from the spot for a seventh goal of the campaign.
Victory delivered not only Stoke's second away win but their first back to back wins this season following the win over Derby last weekend.
Blackburn head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"That was probably one of the best performances I’ve seen since I’ve been here given the number of chances we’ve had, but obviously we’ve got to defend better for the two goals.
"The lads played with a lot of confidence so not to win the game was disappointing but we are doing a lot of good things. At the end of the day we could have won the game by three or four.
"The attitude of the group was fantastic. We need to defend properly and keep clean sheets but it is really important we stay positive and it is important the strikers stay confident because it will turn."
Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke:
"I asked the players before the game to show that belief and the fight at maximum level we could offer and they did, so I am very pleased with the three points.
"We knew the first 20 minutes would be difficult but we talked about staying competitive. They were brilliant in terms of energy and desire and knowing we can get results back to back is important for the confidence of the team.
"Viktor Johansson is performing very well and today he has been brilliant but all the defenders they did a great job in front of him putting bodies in front of him."
