Stoke City 1 – 0 Blackburn
Walters 48
Att: 25,515
Rovers Return Empty Handed
Jon Walters opened his premiership account yesterday with City’s winner in the 48th minute and extended their unbeaten run in league & cup to five games. The former Blackburn youth player scored after some good work by Etherington who claimed another a assist who surely be on Capello’s radar now after another fine display.
Pulis earlier in the week said he wanted Stoke get out of the blocks first this and get at teams from the off and they did as they were told. Within the first five minutes Stoke created two good opportunities firstly with Sorensen releasing Etherington down the left with a quick throw out but Etherinton’s cross was dealt with by Emerton who had pennant breathing down his neck. Then Jones did superbly well to cut inside and hold off two Blackburn players before unleashing a shot which went inches wide of the post and had Robinson scrambling across his goal. Jones came close again after a deflected cross came to him but he couldn’t get enough power on his header and Robinson gathered comfortably, Jones was looking for his fifth goal in five games and he was looking good for it.
Stoke pilled on the pressure in the first ten minutes a Delap throw which was compared to a “scud missile” by Rovers boss Allardyce in the pre-match build up caused mayhem in the Rovers box as firstly it was deflected onto the post and then Walter’s had the rebound tipped over by Robinson. In the 15th minute Blackburn finally came to life in controversial fashion, Diouf was running down the left wing and seemed to run the ball out of play which went unseen by linesmen and world cup final referee Howard Webb which left Pulis fuming on the touchline. Diouf got the ball across and Emerton had beaten Sorensen with a delicate chip but Shawcross was there to clear off the line.
Another Delap throw was met by Jones in the 19th minute but Robinson again gathered comfortably, a minute later it was Blackburn’s turn to use the long throw with Pedersen but Walters was there to avert the danger. In the 26th minute Huth picked up the first booking of the game after taking out Pedersen, Blackburn enjoyed a brief spell of pressure up to the half-hour mark but never really created anything clear cut.
In the 34th minute Givet got booked for a rash challenge on Pennant just on the half-way line which could have easily been a red. A minute later Etherington takes the ball down well on his left and unleashes a half volley into the side netting which was the best chance of an unexpected lively first-half. Etherington then had a volley well saved by Robison at his near post after a good cross by Pennant. The half came to scrappy end in which the Potters dominated most of.
Within a minute of the restart Diouf was in the book for barging over Pennant. In the 48th minute Stoke got their just rewards, a brilliant move saw Jones nod the ball down to Etherington who then ran forward threaded the ball through Samba’s legs to Walters who timed his run to perfection and held off Samba before putting his effort in the bottom corner past Robinson. Stoke nearly doubled their lead in 53rd minute with a free kick from Etherington which curled round the inside of the wall but Robinson parried clear.
Blackburn took Diouf off in the 54th minute to a chorus of boo’s from the home crowd who was replaced by Olsson who’s first contribution was to fire a shot high and wide of Sorensen’s goal. In the 60th minute Etherington had his best chance to grab a goal after a well worked one-two with Jones saw his low effort well saved by Robinson. Walters could have had his second of the afternoon but he was wrongly given offside by the linesman in the 72nd minute as Stoke added more pressure, Blackburn brought Benjani on for Emerton in the 75th minute to try and rescue something from the game which was gradually slipping away from them.
Pennant then gave way to Fuller in the 77th minute who went up front with Jones and Walters went out to the right. A minute later Jones so nearly got his goal after loosing his marker for Etherington’s cross was met by Jones but he could only head wide and his frustration showed as he kicked out at the post. It was then super-sub Fuller’s turn to have a go after picking up the ball midway in the Blackburn half running forward unchallenged and hitting a shot just wide, Fuller who less than a week ago dislocated his shoulder in Stokes 2-1 win against Newcastle made a quick recovery.
The remaining minutes were edgy for especially when four minutes appeared on the board, Blackburn threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and left themselves exposed at the back to a counter attack but Stoke didn’t chance it and held firm, Pulis ran down the clock with a couple of substitutions Wilson replaced the superb Etherington whilst Whelan replaced the hard working Delap. Stoke held on for their first clean sheet in league this season.
Stoke deserved their win in what was an unexpectedly good game with both sides being tarnished with the same brush of playing ugly football by most pundits and lazy journalists. With a two week break now for the Potters because of Internationals which could see Stoke pair Etherington and Collins called up for their countries after their recent good form. Pulis when asked about the international break in his post-match interview said “it’s probably a bad thing because Stoke are on a good run and wanted to keep the momentum going into their next outing at Bolton”. He also added about Walters “he doesn’t get the praise he deserves like some of the more glamorous players here, but he fits in well with clubs DNA of hard work and honesty”. The Potters climb to seventh in the table with this win.
Man of the Match: Etherington, superb display grabbed another assist in setting up Walters, could of easily had an hat-trick today surely must be in the back Capello’s mind somewhere.
Ref: Howard Webb
Stoke: Sorensen, Collins, Faye, Shawcross, Huth, Etherington (Wilson89), Whitehead, Dealp (Whelan 90), Pennant (Fuller 77), Walters, Jones
Subs: Begovic, Higginbotham, Gudjohnsen, Tuncay
Blackburn: Robison, Salgado, Givet, Samba, Nelsen, Jones, Emerton (Benjani 75), N’zonzi, Pedersen (Hoilett 86), Diouf (Olsson), Biram Diouf
Subs: Bunn, Chimbonda, Andrews, Kalinic