Patrick van Aanholt’s reaction to relegating Stoke City has really divided people

Classy, or a show of weakness?

Reuben Pinder

Stoke are officially down after a ten-year spell in the Premier League

Xherdan Shaqiri inspired a glimmer of hope among Stoke fans this afternoon when his free-kick flew into the top corner via a deflection from Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s head.

And it’s the hope that kills you. Crystal Palace came back stronger in the second half and equalised through James McArthur before Patrick van Aanholt took advantage of a sloppy touch from Ryan Shawcross and buried a chance. That late goal from the left-back confirmed Stoke’s relegation to the Championship after a 10-year spell in the top flight.

Van Aanholt celebrated with the away fans, with whom he has earned a cult hero status recently due to his improved form and jovial activity on Twitter.

After the game, the Dutchman also took to Twitter to comment on the game, but fans were surprised by what he said. Instead of reeling out a standard ‘Buzzing with the win, fans were amazing, happy to score but the most important thing is survival. #CPFC”, he issued an apology to the Stoke fans for scoring the goal that relegated them.

Normally I like to celebrate when I score but I’d like to apologise to Stoke City and their fans, I wish my goal didn’t relegate you, but you’ll be back soon! Great club with great fans 👊🏽

— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) May 5, 2018

You won’t be surprised to hear that it got a mixed reaction. Some took issue with him praising Stoke’s fans, given their record of booing the likes of Aaron Ramsey, while others questioned why a professional footballer would apologise for scoring a goal.

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