Alex Neil expressed his delight at Stoke’s home comforts as they defeated Watford 1-0.
New hero Andre Vidigal starred again as he notched his fourth goal in as many games since a summer move from Maritimo.
The Portuguese winger – who turned 25 in midweek – fired in a second-half winner with an emphatic strike on the volley.
And, in the process, The Potters secured successive league victories at home for the first time since April 2022, while they also beat West Brom in the cup.
“We’ve now won three games on the bounce at home and I think that’s vitally important to get our fans onside and backing us,” Neil said.
“You can see that connection starting to happen because the fans can see that the players left everything on the pitch so I’m really pleased.
“Watford are a really good side and they’ll be at the top end of the division for me so we knew it was going to be tough.
“In the main, we contained them really well, defensively we were sound and we got a goal that changed the dynamic of the game.
“You could see today that we were good in both boxes in terms of that final strike to get a goal and when we needed Travers at the other end.”
Neil also praised the in-form Vidigal, who continues to impress on English soil.
“The biggest thing about Andre is that he’s equally comfortable playing off the left, off the right or as a centre forward.
“He’s always going to get chances, he’s always looked a threat and he actually could’ve had more with the chances he’s had.
“He’s got that unbelievable knack of landing in the right position and getting strikes away and he just wants to score.
“He said to me at half-time, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to score!’ and then he did so fair play to him.”
Meanwhile, Watford’s unbeaten league start under new boss Valerien Ismael comes to an end.
Substitute Yaser Asprilla spurned two glorious opportunities to open the scoring and then level late on, but the Colombia international failed to convert.
“Our performance in the first half was not good enough and we didn’t stick to our gameplan,” Ismael admitted.
“We created chances but it wasn’t enough and we weren’t present in the basics.
“If you are not having a good day, at least make sure you get the basics right and we didn’t do that.
“That’s what I said at half-time and in the second half we came out much better, but we conceded a goal in our best period of the game.
“We created a lot of chances after that so at least we saw our identity, but it’s a journey in this division.
“The players need to learn that the Championship is ruthless and every game you’ve got to be on it and if you think it is going to be easy you will be punished like today.
“We will learn from the game and make sure from the beginning we are ready to compete, especially in away games.
“You can lose games, I don’t mind, but at least I want to see the identity and the mentality in the players, and I missed it in the first half.
“What we deserve is the criticism that we didn’t perform for 90 minutes.”
Ancelotti urges Kroos to reverse retirement decision after Champions League glory
Toni Kroos is set to leave Real Madrid as a six-time Champions League winner but Carlo Ancelotti wants the Los Blancos midfielder to reverse his retirement decision.
The Germany midfielder appears to have played the final club game of his career, signing off with European glory after a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Saturday's final.
Kroos delivered a perfect corner-kick assist for Dani Carvajal's 74th-minute opener at Wembley Stadium before Vinicius Junior sealed Madrid's 15th crown in UEFA's top club competition.
The 34-year-old Kroos will head to Euro 2024 with Germany this month before calling time on his glittering career, though Ancelotti hopes he will change his mind.
"I'm really grateful to Kroos," Ancelotti said. "He finished at the very top, there is no way to finish higher than this.
"He had the boldness to finish it [his career] and he is a legend at this club.
"All the fans are grateful to him for his attitude, his professionalism. I've told him we are waiting for him to change his mind – we are waiting for you."
It was the sixth winning campaign for Madrid quadruple Kroos, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Nacho in the Champions League.
Only Paco Gento (six) has won the European Cup/Champions League as many times among players in history.
This success will be further boosted by the expected arrival of Kylian Mbappe, who is reportedly set to join Madrid after announcing his intentions to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
Ancelotti says Los Blancos will look to new arrivals, as well as the current crop of Madrid stars, to combat Kroos' retirement.
"We have lost an important player, but we have players who can replace him and we will adapt and play a slightly different way," Ancelotti said.
"We have fantastic players and the resources to remain competitive."
Kroos' Germany face Ukraine and Greece in warm-up fixtures before opening their Euro 2024 campaign against Scotland on June 14.
Alba calls for Miami battle as MLS star Messi heads to Copa America defence
Lionel Messi heads off to Copa America with Argentina after starring once again in MLS, with Jordi Alba calling on Inter Miami to battle in the forward's absence.
Former Barcelona forward Messi made MLS history on Sunday, reaching 25 goal contributions in just 12 appearances this term to shatter the previous fastest record held by Carlos Vela (16 in 2019).
Messi was on target in the 3-3 draw with St. Louis City, while Alba – who assisted Miami's first two goals – salvaged a point at Chase Stadium with a late leveller in a thrilling contest.
Yet Gerardo Martino will not have Messi to call upon for the foreseeable future, as the legendary attacker prepares for Argentina's Copa title defence.
"Knowing the player that he is for us, it's hard, but the team will continue to compete as much as possible, and that will be noticed," Alba said of Messi's absence.
"It's an important absence for us, but we hope he does well in Copa America, we hope he has a great tournament and joins us again when it's time.
"If that's after the final, well – but in the meantime, the team will continue to fight and play."
The 2024 Copa runs from June 20 to July 14, with Inter also potentially losing players to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris at the end of next month.
Martino remains aware of the availability issues that could follow for the Eastern Conference leaders, though Messi leaves with Miami's well wishes.
"In today's game, Leo was practically responsible next to Jordi for the participation of the attack," the Miami head coach said.
"He was involved creating chances, he insisted throughout the game. He finished the game well – and now will do what has corresponded to him his whole life, which is play for Argentina."
Argentina face Ecuador and Guatemala in warm-up fixtures before opening their Copa defence against Canada on June 21.
Inter Miami 3-3 St. Louis City: Alba stars as Messi makes history in MLS draw
Lionel Messi achieved an unprecedented MLS feat on Sunday but his heroics, and a star Jordi Alba performance, could not drag Inter Miami past St. Louis City in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The Argentina and Barcelona great levelled proceedings after Chris Durkin's early opener, taking Messi to 25 goal contributions this term in just 12 MLS appearances – shattering the previous record by Carlos Vela.
Indiana Vassilev edged the visitors back ahead before Luis Suarez restored parity on the stroke of half-time at Miami's Chase Stadium.
Gerardo Martino's side fell behind again after Suarez turned into his own net but Alba, who assisted Miami's first two goals, saved the day with an 85th-minute equaliser to salvage a point.
The draw left Miami top of the Eastern Conference by two points but second-placed FC Cincinnati have two games in hand over Martino's star-studded line-up.
Meanwhile, St. Louis remain 11th in the Western Conference but just three points adrift of ninth-placed Portland Timbers having played two games fewer.
Data Debrief: Messi history in MLS
Having shattered records across historic spells with Barcelona and Argentina, Messi now has another MLS achievement on his sparkling resume.
Messi became the fastest player to 25 goal contributions in an MLS season, recording 12 goals and 13 assists to surpass the previous record established by Vela in 2019 (16 games, four more than Messi).
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