Birthday boy Jaden Philogene-Bidace inspires Stoke victory over 10-man Swansea

Birthday boy Jaden Philogene-Bidace inspired Stoke’s 3-0 Championship victory against 10-man Swansea as the Potters recorded a first home league win since November.

Stoke, with only one win in eight home league fixtures heading into the tie, started promisingly and had a glorious opportunity for an opener inside two minutes.

On-loan Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis was found in acres of space in the Swans area but was unable to convert his header.

Fellow defender Ben Wilmot also tried his luck in an entertaining first five minutes, but his snapshot from close range was diverted wide.

Stoke’s early dominance showed no sign of relenting with Philogene-Bidace – making his first home start after a winter loan move from Aston Villa – also threatening to break the deadlock.

The sprightly forward had two early sights of goal, first seeing a venomous volleyed effort blocked by Jay Fulton before being thwarted by Swans goalkeeper Andy Fisher in a sign of things to come.

However, it was full-back Josh Tymon who came closest to securing a deserved Stoke lead shortly before the half-hour mark, but his clean volley from range whistled narrowly over the crossbar.

The visitors, looking to keep their play-off hopes alive after Saturday’s encouraging win against Blackburn, did threaten an unlikely opener.

In a rare venture forward into the Potters half, Olivier Ntcham pounced on a slack Joe Bursik pass to tee up Fulton, but the midfielder’s effort was blocked.

Philogene-Bidace was again left ruing some resolute Swansea defending when his powerful effort from close range was blocked by Ryan Bennett before the interval.

Yet the youngster’s patience was rewarded shortly after the restart when he was in the right place at the