Sunday, January 12, 2014

12 January 2013 - There's No Place Like Home Anymore

On 12 January 2013, Stoke City suffered their first home league loss of the season thanks in part to a pair of own goals.

The Potters had risen to eighth in the Premier League table by the end of December due largely to an impressive home form that saw them win five and draw five of their ten league games at Britannia Stadium. At the time, they were the only team in the top four levels of the English football pyramid to remain unbeaten at home. An away loss to Manchester City on New Year's Day dropped them to ninth, but their next game was back at the Britannia against Chelsea.

Although sitting fourth in the table, Chelsea had just had back-to-back home losses against QPR (in the league) and Swansea (in the League Cup) and looked primed for another defeat. But they weathered Stoke's early attack, then jumped in front with an own goal from Stoke's Jonathan Walters in first half stoppage time.

Walters again found the back of his own net in the 62nd minute and the rout was on. Chelsea's Frank Lampard (65', pen.) and Eden Hazard (73') stretched the lead to 0-4 while Walters continued his nightmare of a day by missing a last-minute penalty of his own.

The loss not only ended the streak, but also finished Stoke's home form, as they went on to lose four of their eight remaining home games that season en route to a thirteenth place finish.

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