Mark Hughes backs Stoke to replicate record-breaking seasons after Wilfried Bony haunts former club
STOKE boss Mark Hughes believes his side are on track to replicate record-breaking seasons of the past after striker Wilfried Bony put his former club Swansea to the sword during Monday night's 3-1 canter.
Having not scored since Boxing Day, the on-loan Manchester City hitman netted twice, either side of an Alfie Mawson own goal, after former Crystal Palace winger Wayne Routledge had levelled for the Swans following Stoke’s early opener.
A third successive league victory lifted Stoke to 12th in the table, while Swansea, who are without a top-flight win since the season’s opening day, remain ensconced in the relegation mire.
“After 10 games we’ve got exactly the same amount of points as last year and the year before when we had record points accumulated in those seasons,” said Hughes.
Bony’s two goals were assisted by Joe Allen, another former Swansea player, who continues to flourish in the No10 position.
Hughes added: “It was written in the stars that Wilfried Bony would score tonight. “He and Joe have been excellent. Joe is outstanding. He has that knack of anticipating where the ball is going to land and that’s why I’ve pushed him further forwards.”