'Relieved' Stoke City manager's verdict on Sheffield Wednesday win and Steven Fletcher

Former Owls striker Steven Fletcher’s late winner has kick-started the Potters’ play-off push after a faltering run which had not seen them win a league game since December 19.

But the former Northern Ireland manager, speaking to the media after the game, said he felt his side had the upper hand against Wednesday but feared they would not make the breakthrough after Nick Powell, Joe Allen and Fletcher had all spurned decent chances.

“I’m relieved and pleased for the lads because they have given a lot,” he said.

"In recent weeks there have been games where we have deserved more.

“I thought we were always in control without being as effective as we could have been.

“In the second half we create chances but didn’t look like we’d take one, but then Fletch did take one and we thoroughly deserved it.

"Hopefully now we can string some results together.”

O’Neill also paid tribute to his matchwinner, who had been sidelined with knee and groin injuries since November.

“He looks back to the player he was before he got injured,” he said.

“We brought him to the club for his all-round play and his link-up is good, but I’m pleased for him to score against his old club – that’s always a good thing.”

To help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our sports-only package. Thank you.