Swansea City began the new Championship season with victory on the road as substitute Adam Idah scored with his first touch to secure a comeback triumph at Stoke City.

The Potters went ahead early on when left-back Eric Bocat kicked off his third campaign as a Stoke player with his first goal for the club, a deflected effort which went in via the underside of the bar.

But Swansea responded swiftly as summer signing Joseph Opoku marked an impressive league debut with a goal, a far-post drive which ricocheted into the net off Bocat.

Idah then struck the game's decisive blow just seconds after coming on in the second half, the striker turning the ball home from Josh Tymon's driven cross.

This was an impressive start to a new league campaign for Swansea, who had won only once in their past 15 visits to the bet365 Stadium.

But it was a disappointing day for Stoke, who missed the chance to go in front through Sorba Thomas shortly before Idah struck and may feel they could have taken something from a game of few clear-cut opportunities.

Yet after a dispiriting end to last season – which finished with four straight losses – this was hardly the fresh start Mark Robins' side were hoping for.

There was an intriguing subplot in this contest as Ethan Galbraith made his league debut for Stoke a little over six weeks after joining in a big-money move from Swansea.

Much is expected of the Northern Ireland midfielder, who was one of Swansea's star performers in 2025-26 and brushed off boos from the travelling fans during what was a solid league debut for the Potters.

But it was those in the away end who had the last laugh; a greater control of possession led to a morale-boosting success for a Swansea team who struggled on their travels last season.

Stoke's goal came against the run of play – and from the hosts' one meaningful attack of the first half – when Svante Ingelsson's drive and cross was turned back into the path of Bocat by Tomas Rigo.

Bocat, making his 68th Stoke appearance, turned neatly on to his left foot before his shot deflected in off Ben Cabango.

Swansea wobbled for a while - with Ingelsson's long throws causing problems in his first league game for Stoke - but were deservedly level after smart work in midfield by Marko Stamenic and Jay Fulton sent Moussa Yeo into space.

Zan Vipotnik could not get enough on Yeo's cross to find the target, but the striker's touch teed up Opoku's equaliser.

The story of the game would have been different had Wales international Thomas not shot too close to goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux when he looked odds-on to score after surging into the Swansea area.

Idah replaced Vipotnik, last season's Championship's top scorer, who had a quiet afternoon.

The Republic of Ireland international immediately succeeded where Thomas failed, seizing the chance to claim the points just seconds after coming on after more good work in the build-up from Fulton and Stamenic.

Stoke manager Mark Robins:

"We started off against a team that move the ball really well a little bit slower than we would have liked.

"We didn't spend enough time on the ball but worked our way into it and ended up creating some openings and ended up taking one of those chances with a really well-worked goal.

"That was really welcome and we settled down a little bit. But we didn't manage to hold on to the lead before half-time on the back of losing duels.

"We came out in the second half, we had more of the ball, one really clear-cut chance - and other chances as well - but we didn't take it. Sorba has done so well but he has to find one of the corners. That was the big moment that we passed up.

"We have got to defend the second goal better. It was really poor. We weren't able to get anything thar resembled a really good chance afterwards."

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos:

"Really proud of the players, really happy with the team. We started the game well, with good momentum, the right attitude, the right mindset.

"We suffered the goal that took away a little bit of confidence and we were then a bit rushed in some moments.

"But we kept growing, stayed in the game, and after he goal we settled again.

"Then we scored the second and then in the Championship you need to survive. That's why I am proud of the team."