Stoke City 1 - 0 Hajduk Split
Walters 3
Att: 26,322
Potters & Pulis Left to Rue Missed Chance
The Potters first European outing in 37 years was a successful one and looked like it could be a memorable one when Walters headed home after just 3 minutes. But Stoke failed to capitalise and make the most of the chances they created to put the tie to bed and now only take a 1-0 lead to Croatia.
Hajduk Split were said to have a good European pedigree, but it was Stoke that looked like the European veterans as they controlled much of the first half and a 3 or 4 nil lead at half-time would not have flattered them. Pulis had criticised Stoke last season for slow starts and not taking the initiative early enough in games, but he could have no qualms about last night when in the 3rd minute Delap found Etherington on the left who floated in a cross to Walters who headed into the top corner.
Not long after taking the lead Stoke had the ball in the net again but Jones’s effort was ruled out.
Despite taking an early lead Stoke looked very flat and failed to create anything else in the first 15-20 minutes of the game.
Split them self’s created very little in the first half and were restricted to just long range wayward effort from Vukusic and then Vukusic was nearly in again but could not get to the ball and it went through to Begovic who gathered it.
Stoke soon found their feet again and were back on the offensive, with Huth and Jones leading the attack. Stoke won a free kick out on the right and Pennants delivery was met by Jones but his header from inside the six yard box was excellently saved by the Split keeper Subasic.
Etherington then broke down the left and cut into the area but his drive was again well saved by Subasic. Stoke were well on top by this point and a second goal seemed inevitable, Stoke were bombarding Split with crosses, long balls and a couple of Rory specials. Shawcross met a Delap throw with his head but it was cleared of the line by a split defender.
Stoke were unfortunate to go into the break only 1 goal up but Split had defended well against the set pieces.
The second half got under way and it was almost like déjà vu with Etherington swinging in a delicious cross from the left aimed at Walters who was arriving at the far post ready to nod home but the keeper got finger tips to the ball and diverted it away for a corner. From the resulting corner Huth came close again with an effort which he should have done better with.
Shawcross then came close again with a header from a Delap throw but the ball got scrambled away
The Split keeper Subasic was soon showing off his acting skills after he had enough of the Delap throws, he was lying on floor as if Huth had pulled a sledge hammer out of his shorts and took him out WWF style.
The rest of Split players seemed cotton on to this and decided to partake in a bit of play acting which infuriated Pulis on the touchline and also got Huth booked.
Split were also partial to a bit of rough play them self’s with Jones and Walters being clattered into the back of a few times.
Pennant was hauled off midway through the second half after he seemed to be getting increasingly frustrated and after putting in rash challenge which went unpunished luckily Pulis took him off and brought Whitehead on.
As the half went on Stoke looked liked they were tiring and Split started to take the initiative and created opportunities but Begovic dealt comfortably with a drive from Tomasov.
Stoke then found some energy from somewhere and in the last 10 minutes pushed on, Etherington put in a cross which got dealt with and then Whitehead saw a rare shot go just wide.
Etherington got pulled off towards the end for Shotton as Stoke’s lack of match fitness showed towards the end, but it was hosts who nearly scored right at the death as Huth failed to convert and his shot went just wide
The final whistle went and the first European night under the floodlights at The Britannia ended in victory for Stoke but it could and should have been by a much bigger score line than 1-0.
Pulis probably echoed many supporters’ thoughts after the game when he said he was disappointed after the game only to have come away with a 1-0 after dominating for long periods in the game.
Pulis felt Stoke should have made more of the openings that came their way, but was pleased they did not concede an away goal.
"It was a great atmosphere and we won the game, but we were disappointed we didn't win it by more goals, especially given the first half," Pulis said.
"We had enough opportunities and chances to come in more than 1-0 up.
"But we've kept the clean sheet, which is important. We'll go to Split and if we score a goal, they will have to score three to beat us.
"It was a fantastic start and our sloppiest period was 10 or 15 minutes after we scored.
"Then we picked it up for the last 20 minutes of the first half and we could have scored three or four goals.
"It would have been no embarrassment to us if we had come in two or three up.
Stoke now have the tricky away leg next Thursday in Croatia but they take a 1 goal advantage into the game and if they can get an early break through or make the most of a set piece they should be able to see the tie through.
STOKE CITY: Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Delap, Etherington (Shotton), Wilson, Pennant (Whitehead), Whelan, Walters, Jones
SUBS: Sorensen, Woodgate, Danny Collins, Shotton, Diao, Whitehead, Pugh
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wilkinson, solid at the back and pushed forward well. Starting to like a top draw Premiership right-back.