Potters work rewarded for Muniesa and Walters

Mark Hughes believes Marc Muniesa and Jon Walters’ first Stoke City goals of the season were the perfect reward for the hard work that has gone in behind the scenes.

Walters found the net for the first time since March for the Potters, the opening goal in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday.

And for Muniesa, a place on the scoresheet broke his Premier League duck, a much-needed first strike at the bet365 Stadium since the defender signed from Barcelona back in the summer of 2013.

And boss Hughes was quick to praise the impact of the pair, integral in Stoke’s fifth Premier League win in seven to take them into the top half of the table.

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“I am delighted for them both, and one or two others because they haven’t had many opportunities this season,” the Welshman said.

“Marc Muniesa is one who has had hardly any game time and he has come in and been exceptional for us – he was outstanding again.

“I wanted him to drive the ball forward, which he did tremendously well – he was very important for us.

“Even when he is in tight areas he is very confident of being able to get out of them and move up the pitch, and he showed that by starting the passage of play that resulted in him scoring a wonderful goal this afternoon.

“Jonny Walters is another I am absolutely delighted fore because you always know what you are going to get from Jon, so for him to get on the scoresheet was really pleasing too.

“It was another tremendous finish and I aren’t sure you will see any better than that in the Premier League if I am being perfectly honest.”