05-31-2023, 09:39 AM
Ill take a look at what I think are the key points from yesterdays 1-0 home victory over Manchester City.A huge winYesterdays result was undoubtedly a very important one for Stoke. The three points moved us ahead of the likes of Middlesbrough and Blackburn and out of the relegation zone, but on top of this, the manner in which the victory was achieved, with such a fine team performance with just ten men, will do wonders for our morale going after recent disappointments.Immense DefenceWhile Manchester City had the vast majority of the po se sion and territorial advantage in the second half, they never really looked like scoring. That is a great credit to the Stoke rearguard action, not just of the back four, but of the team as a whole, who all gave their all for the cause.Maturity beyond their yearsSpecial praise goes to young defenders Andy Wilkinson and Ryan Shawcro s, who both put in fantastic defensive performances, and in Shawcro ss case looked a threat going forward too. Whilenerves and panicked play may Joe Dumars Jersey be expected from young defenders under pre sure, neither showed a hint of this, putting in thoroughly commanding profe sional performances. This is particularly pleasing from Wilkinson, who has let hisfrustration and the occa sionget the better of him in the past, but yesterday had one of the worlds best players in Robinho in his pocket.Shawcro s witha slight height advantage over BellamyNew bloodThe last two goals we have scored have been scored by new signing James Beattie and a sisted by fellow new-boy Matthew Etherington. Both have fitted superbly into the Stoke side in the first few games and the two seem to have an understanding of each other that would usually take years to develop. Yesterdays winner was an excellent stretching header from Beattie from aperfect cro s from Etherington, the two new signings providing the quality we have lacked.Delap in the headlines for the wrong reasonsWe have grown used to seeing pages of the sporting pre s dedicated to Rory Delaps spectacular long throw, but yesterday he made the news for all the wrong reasons, getting sent off for stupidly and unprofe sionally kicking the ball into Shaun Wright-Phillips after hacking him down. Tony Pulis said he could not and would not condone Delaps actions and I agree with him, LiAngelo Ball Jersey we were very lucky that his moment of stupidity didnt cost us any points.Selective refereeingI often feel that our reputation as an overly physical side leads to referees giving unjust decisions against us. While Delap was out of order and right to be sent off, seconds before his offence, Wright-Phillips had launched a tackle at Matthew Etherington that warranted at the very least a free-kick to Stoke. Referee Martin Atkinson chose to wave play on though, resulting in the incident with Delap. Then, after Delap had kicked the ball at Wright-Phillips, the Manchester City player kicked out at Delap, catching him on the calf, an offence worthy of a straight red card, but yet Atkinson either didnt see it, in which case his refereeing credentials should be called into dispute, or he unfairly chose to ignore it.Martin Atkinson sends off Delap93 million of talent?The Manchester City side of yesterday Jordan Bone Jersey , with a total transfer value of almost 100 million, was in my opinion the worst that have travelled to Stoke this season. Totttenham were equally bad, but it must be remembered they played the majority of the game with ten men, not against ten men.Citys play in the final third truly was dreadful. It is incredible that a team can have so much po se sion in the oppositions half and fail to force the keeper into a meaningful save, as City did yesterday.The Britannia Stadium atmosphereThe atmosphere yesterday was once again fantastic, with the perfect level of support for the Stoke players and intimidation for the Manchester City side. The spontaneous roar of encouragement on 80 minutes which was apparently heard two miles away was incredible, and some humorous moments were provided by the jeers aimed at Robinho: she said no.Player Ratings:Thomas Sorensen (gk): Sorensen had remarkable little to do in a game where we had so little po se sion. In the absence of a difficult save to make, he coped well with all aimed at him. 7Andy Wilkinson (rb): Delon Wright Jersey A very good display from Wilko, who got the better of Robinho all match and kept his head at times when in the past he has failed to do so. 8Ryan Shawcro s (cb): Shawcro s put in an outstanding shift, allowing Manchester Citys forwards nothing on the ground or in the air. He was also a menace going forward from set pieces, producing an exquisite flick that almost brought a goal. 9Abdoulaye Faye (cb): Another excellent captains display from Abdoulaye, as commanding as Shawcro s in the penalty area and ultra-cool when under pre sure. If he doesnt win player of the season itll be a travesty. 8Danny Pugh (lb): Left-back is definitely not Pughs best position, he looks far more comfortable in the centre of midfield. He had a reasonable game, and it is hard to find fault in the play of anyone involved in that defensive performance, but he was caught out a few time by Citys fast counter-attacking. 6Rory Delap (rm): Delap started the game well, and his long throws seem to be back to their very best, he was extremely stupid and unprofe sional to get sent off in the way he did though. 4Amdy Faye (cm): Amdy signed a new contract at Stoke this week and I for one am delighted. He didnt have his very best Saban Lee Jersey game, po sibly something to do with being knocked unconscious in the first half, but he was still good, strong in the tackle and commanding. 7Glenn Whelan (cm): Whelan had a good if not great game, doing little wrong and contributing well upfield, providing a superb pa s into Etherington during the build up to our goal. 7Matthew Etherington (lm): Another very good performance from Etherington who has made a very promising start to his Stoke career. Though he had to defend a lot, which he did well, he was able to make the difference in attack, providing a telling cro s for Beatties goal. 8James Beattie (cf): A very good home debut from James in a match that it was difficult for Stoke players to impre s in. He managed it nonethele s though, taking his chance brilliantly when it came and earning us the points. He also provided a good outlet for our balls upfield in the second half. 8Ricardo Fuller (cf): Fuller was the one pla