Stoke 2-1 Sheffield United: Potters hit back for victory at Sam Gallagher nets stunner

Two goals in the space of 11 breathtaking second-half minutes from Jack McGlynn and super-sub Sam Gallagher saw the Potters turn the game on its head and make it an impressive four wins in their last five Sky Bet Championship fixtures.

Kalvin Phillips' first league goal for five-and-a-half years, a 51st-minute long-range free-kick, had put the Blades on course for what would have been only their second away league win of the season.

But McGlynn levelled for the hosts in the 78th minute with a left-foot screamer - his second goal in as many games - and Gallagher completed a battling fightback with a sublime 86th-minute volley which was worthy of winning any game.

The unchanged home side started the brighter of the two sides and could have been ahead after only 12 minutes.

Djibril Soumare had time and space but rifled his left-foot shot from the edge of the area straight at an alert Michael Cooper.

Lamine Cisse, making his 150th career appearance, fired wide of the target shortly afterwards as the hosts pressed for an opener.

And just before the half-hour mark Ben Johnson cut inside after receiving the ball wide on the right, only to power his left-foot shot at Cooper.

The Blades bounced out of the blocks at the start of the second half and Sydie Peck, recently called up to the England Under-21 squad, blazed a left-foot shot over from a decent position on the edge of the box.

And, not long after, the visitors took the lead thanks to a spot of individual brilliance from Phillips and much to the delight of the 1,939 travelling fans.

The 30-year-old lined up a free-kick from distance and somehow squeezed his shot past Viktor Johansson at his near post. In truth, the experienced Sweden international goalkeeper will know he should have done a lot better.

The goal was just what was needed to ignite the contest and Stoke deservedly equalised through McGlynn's super strike.

Eric Bocat had moments earlier tested Cooper and, with momentum on their side, Gallagher stole the show with his late winner, superbly bringing the ball down before volleying home.

"If those goals don't deserve to win a football match, then I don't know what level of quality does.

"That's testament to Sam Gallagher. For him to have worked to keep coming back from injury and disappointment, well that is just a demonstration of sheer brute force and quality that gets you a winning goal in what was a really tight game.

"The first goal was good enough, that's Jack all over. But Sam's goal, well that's one of the best goals I've ever seen.

"We worked really hard to get back on level terms after conceding what we felt was a real giveaway (goal).

"But the support and energy in the stadium was really good - and it needed to be because after the run of fixtures we've had, it's been tough for everyone.

"There's been so many games in this period, it's been really tough, so the players deserve an awful lot of credit.

"The start we had wasn't brilliant, but they picked up the mantle, got some confidence going and we've shown we've got some genuine quality.

"It's exciting (our form), that's the emotion I feel. I'm a lot happier with where we're at after the start we had."

"It was a tough one to take for us all. Unfortunately fine margins decide games, but I can't fault the players because they put everything out there.

"We got our noses in front but they find two wonder goals which decided the game for them.

"When two players whack in goals from 30 yards then it's nothing to do with our quality.

"It was a tight game, but we could have quite easily been sat here with six points from the last two games, but two wonder goals have decided it.

"To concede two goals like that one in game, well I don't think you'll concede two goals like that again all season.

"We have to deal with the disappointment, but the Championship is difficult, there's no getting around that.

"But it quickly changes and now we've got the international break to get some players back and to improve on things.

"The players are super tight and I'm super tight with them. They're really disappointed we've not got a result, but you've got to get through tough times like this. That's what professional football is all about."

What the result means and next fixtures...