?Stoke City boss Mark Hughes saw his side return to winning ways after they saw off Hull City at the Bet 365 Stadium on Saturday, insisting that his side are aiming to finish the season on a high note.
The Potters hadn’t won in five Premier League games, losing their last four, but Hughes has also expressed that his side can relax somewhat and enjoy their football before the season is out.
Speaking to ?Sky Sports after the 3-1 win, the Welshman said: “It was a big result for us. There was maybe a little bit of anxiety around the place, only in that we have just come through a period where we have come up against really good opposition and it was always going to test us.
“We knew the fixtures around this period were tough, and that is how it has panned out. But this game was clearly one we felt we could get back on track with and then kick on for the remaining games.
“We are in a good position now where we can relax to a certain extent and maybe release some of the anxiety that sometimes displays itself on occasions, just because we needed to get the win today.
“As a consequence of winning today, we can now show a lot more freedom in the remaining games that we have. We are looking to finish strongly.”
Stoke took an early lead when Marko Arnautovic curled into the top corner for his sixth Premier League goal of the season. Harry Maguire levelled for Hull just after the break but Hughes’ double substitution of Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch hurt the Tigers.
The latter gave Stoke a 2-1 lead before Swiss star Shaqiri hit an unstoppable 30 yarder past Eldin Jakupovic to seal the win.
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