Yahoo News Fighting talk from Plymouth boss as Stoke City run riot after crowd intervention
Plymouth boss Neil Dewsnip claimed a player clash at the bet365 Stadium was a decisive moment in Stoke City’s 3-0 victory in a crucial relegation battle.
A quick-fire double from Ki-Jana Hoever and Million Manhoef helped Stoke take a big step closer to survival. And a Wouter Burger strike in stoppage time saw the Potters climb to 17th in the Championship table - six points above the relegation zone with two games remaining.
But referee Robert Madley booked four players - two from each side - after an incident involving Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper and Manhoef before the hosts had scored, and Dewsnip was left to lament the effect it had on the Potters and their fans.
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In the subsequent melee, players from both teams squared up to each other, prompting cautions for Cooper and Argyle team-mate Bali Muma, plus Hoever and Stoke team-mate Tyrese Campbell.
The Argyle caretaker manager cited the incident for firing up home fans in the 24,000-plus crowd and giving the hosts a lift. He told PlymouthLive: “We are really disappointed to lose. We knew how important the game was for us, but I have to say Stoke City were by far the better team on the day and credit to them.
"The first 35 minutes were okay until the little kerfuffle with Michael Cooper and one of their front players, and from that moment the crowd seemed to get really involved. I thought Stoke got a big lift from that and we didn't handle that emotion particularly well.
"They scored a goal and then got another quickly after. I was disappointed with our performance in terms of that last 10 minutes of the first half. We showed an immaturity really, something we will address and look to do better in the future.”
