Town cemented their position as league leaders at the turn of the year with a comfortable 1-0 win over Stoke City. The Blues deserved more than Shefki Kuqi's goal in the 34th minute, particularly from a very dominant first half display.

Joe Royle decided to drop Kevin Horlock in favour of Jim Magilton, with Ian Westlake joining the skipper in the centre of midfield and Darren Currie and Tommy Miller on the left and right respectively.

The first action of the game came in the shape of a yellow card for Stoke's Lewis Buxton for a late tackle on Darren Currie inside the third minute.

Town should have gone ahead a minute later when Jim Magilton and Shefki Kuqi both flicked on a long Kelvin Davis kick into the path of Darren Bent. The striker was through one-on-one with Steve Simonsen but the keeper saved his shot.

The Blues came close again on six when Darren Currie laid the ball back across a crowded area to Tommy Miller but his shot was blocked by Wayne Thomas.

Jim Magilton's 30-yard shot was easy for the keeper, before Clint Hill hit an effort over at the other end.

On 18 Tommy Miller's 25-yarder was deflected over, Shefki Kuqi heading the resultant corner over the bar.

Darren Currie came close to an outrageous goal in the 26th minute, whipping in a corner which Ade Akinbiyi only just managed to head away from under the crossbar.

Town were supremely dominant, passing the ball slickly against a Stoke side who had very evidently come for the draw. A goal was the only thing which was missing but on 34 one finally came.

Jim Magilton played a ball into Kuqi on the edge of the area, the Finn exchanging passes with Ian Westlake before hitting the corner of the net from 12 yards. It was Kuqi's 12th goal of the season and Town's 50th in the league of 2004/05.

Tommy Miller had a shot deflected wide on 35 and four minutes later Ade Akinbiyi hit a rare Stoke shot weakly to Kelvin Davis.

Jason De Vos wasn't too far from a goal two minutes after the break when he got his head to a Kuqi shot but could only send it wide.

On 53 Darren Bent was close to embarrassing Steve Simonsen when he beat the keeper to the ball on the edge of the area. Fortunately for the ex-England U21 the ball hit his foot and ran to safety.

Ten minutes later, Tommy Miller's 20-yard strike deflected wide, but the Blues were less in control of the game than they had been in the first period.

Darren Bent was close to a second Town goal in the 65th minute when he got his head to Fabian Wilnis's cross from the right but sent the ball wide. Bent was convinced he had been fouled by Buxton, who clearly had hold of his shirt.

Bent had another chance on 73 but mis-controlled Darren Currie's excellent pass and Michael Duberry put the ball out for a corner. Soon after Kevin Horlock replaced Jim Magilton.

Miller had another shot blocked with 13 minutes left and Kevin Horlock put the rebound wide from the edge of the box with his first touch since coming on.

Stoke sub Karl Henry picked up a yellow card for nasty late challenge on Darren Currie in the 78th minute. The visitors were lucky still to have 11 players on the pitch, Buxton, booked early on, having subsequently committed two further bookable offences.

With four minutes remaining, Darren Bent made a break down the left after a series of Stoke corners. The England U21 international took the ball inside before lashing a powerful 25-yard shot which Simonsen tipped over the bar.

Town saw out two minutes of injury time without any serious threat on their goal, while Tommy Miller hit a shot wide from Fabian Wilnis's pass.

A win which really ought to have been more comfortable than the single goal. The Blues dominated throughout and particularly so in a first half during which Stoke had hardly got out of their own half.

Kuqi took his goal well, however, by that stage Town should really have been two or even three goals to the good.

Defensively, the Blues were rarely under pressure, Kelvin Davis going the entire game without having to make a save and Stoke failing to win a corner until after the hour mark.

An important result in the context of the defeat at Millwall on Boxing Day and one which will see confidence remain high as we enter 2005.

Town: Davis, Wilnis, Richards, De Vos, Naylor, Magilton (Horlock 76), Miller, Westlake, Currie, Bent, Kuqi. Unused: Bowditch, Supple, Karbassiyoon, Couñago.

Photo: Action Images

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