Stoke City 4-1 FC Thun
Upson 25 Wittwer 77
Jones 31, 72
Whelan 38
Att: 24, 148
The Potters booked their place in the group stages of the Europa League for the first time in the clubs history after completing 5-1 aggregate win over Swiss outfit FC Thun. Stoke were 1-0 up from the first leg and n ever looked in any trouble in the return leg.
Stoke dominated both games and will only be disappointed about the fact that could not keep a clean sheet especially at home. Stoke were 3-0 up by half time thanks to goals from Upson who was making his home debut, Jones and a 25 yarder from Whelan.
Stoke were forced into making changes going into this game with Etherington and Huth being suspended after picking up yellow cards in the first leg. Pugh and Wilkinson were bought in for the suspended duo, Sorenson was also brought in for Begovic whilst Upson was also brought in to play alongside Shawcross. Giving some of the regulars a rest from what has been more than a busy start to the season with such a thread bare squad.
It was Thun who started the better and looked to get back on level terms as early as the third minute when Schneider's shot was blocked well by Wilkinson.
Stoke soaked up the early pressure and grew into the game but couldn’t create any real chances. Pennant did well down the right but his cross to the far post was headed away. Whitehead then failed to gather a return ball from Walters inside the box.
The visitors then tried their luck again with a speculative effort from Demiri but sailed high over Sorenson’s goal.
Stoke then created the best chance of the game when Pennant did well to loose 2 defenders on the right and then cross with his left foot to Jones who jumped well and got good connection with his header but he couldn’t direct it goal wards and it went wid e.
Stoke got their first goal 2 minutes later when Pennants corner was swung into the far post where Upson headed home for his first goal for the club on his home debut and his first goal since scoring for England in last years World Cup.
Thun couldn’t get nowhere near the Stoke goal and were resorting to long range efforts which were either high and wide or Sorenson collected them with ease.
Stoke got their second goal after good work again from Pennant who crossed the ball into the danger area where Jones stooped down low to head home his 2nd goal in a week.
In the 38th minute Stoke compounded Thuns misery when a failed clearance from a Pennant corner dropped to Whelan on the edge of the box who lashed the ball into the back of the net for his first of the season.
Stoke went into the break 3-0 up on cruise control and knowing that they were securely into the group stages of the Europa League.
After the break it was pretty much the same as the first half as Stoke continued to push forward and create chances, Wilkinson surged past four players but his shot went wide.
Thun captain Battig hit a tame effort which Sorensen claimed comfortably. Pennant was then taken off for Soares and Pulis also brought on Collins and Shotton in place of Wilson and Walters.
The addition of fresh legs paid off in the 72nd minute as Soares beat his man on the right and sent in a cross which was converted by the head of Jones for his second of the night and third in a week.
The Potters appeared to ease off slightly in the closing stages and Wittwer managed to pull one back for the visitors with 13 minutes of normal time to go.
Sanogo was then allowed to head wide, but Stoke's job was done, the final whistle confirming the continuation of their European tour.
Ref: Borski
Man of the Match: Pennant constant threat throughout and set up 3 goals.
Stoke: Sorenson, Wilkinson, Upson, Shawcross, Wilson (Collins), Pennant (Soares), Whelan, Whitehead, Pugh, Walter s (Shotton), Jones
Subs: Nash, Woodgate, Tonge
Upson 25 Wittwer 77
Jones 31, 72
Whelan 38
Att: 24, 148
The Potters booked their place in the group stages of the Europa League for the first time in the clubs history after completing 5-1 aggregate win over Swiss outfit FC Thun. Stoke were 1-0 up from the first leg and n ever looked in any trouble in the return leg.
Stoke dominated both games and will only be disappointed about the fact that could not keep a clean sheet especially at home. Stoke were 3-0 up by half time thanks to goals from Upson who was making his home debut, Jones and a 25 yarder from Whelan.
Stoke were forced into making changes going into this game with Etherington and Huth being suspended after picking up yellow cards in the first leg. Pugh and Wilkinson were bought in for the suspended duo, Sorenson was also brought in for Begovic whilst Upson was also brought in to play alongside Shawcross. Giving some of the regulars a rest from what has been more than a busy start to the season with such a thread bare squad.
It was Thun who started the better and looked to get back on level terms as early as the third minute when Schneider's shot was blocked well by Wilkinson.
Stoke soaked up the early pressure and grew into the game but couldn’t create any real chances. Pennant did well down the right but his cross to the far post was headed away. Whitehead then failed to gather a return ball from Walters inside the box.
The visitors then tried their luck again with a speculative effort from Demiri but sailed high over Sorenson’s goal.
Stoke then created the best chance of the game when Pennant did well to loose 2 defenders on the right and then cross with his left foot to Jones who jumped well and got good connection with his header but he couldn’t direct it goal wards and it went wid e.
Stoke got their first goal 2 minutes later when Pennants corner was swung into the far post where Upson headed home for his first goal for the club on his home debut and his first goal since scoring for England in last years World Cup.
Thun couldn’t get nowhere near the Stoke goal and were resorting to long range efforts which were either high and wide or Sorenson collected them with ease.
Stoke got their second goal after good work again from Pennant who crossed the ball into the danger area where Jones stooped down low to head home his 2nd goal in a week.
In the 38th minute Stoke compounded Thuns misery when a failed clearance from a Pennant corner dropped to Whelan on the edge of the box who lashed the ball into the back of the net for his first of the season.
Stoke went into the break 3-0 up on cruise control and knowing that they were securely into the group stages of the Europa League.
After the break it was pretty much the same as the first half as Stoke continued to push forward and create chances, Wilkinson surged past four players but his shot went wide.
Thun captain Battig hit a tame effort which Sorensen claimed comfortably. Pennant was then taken off for Soares and Pulis also brought on Collins and Shotton in place of Wilson and Walters.
The addition of fresh legs paid off in the 72nd minute as Soares beat his man on the right and sent in a cross which was converted by the head of Jones for his second of the night and third in a week.
The Potters appeared to ease off slightly in the closing stages and Wittwer managed to pull one back for the visitors with 13 minutes of normal time to go.
Sanogo was then allowed to head wide, but Stoke's job was done, the final whistle confirming the continuation of their European tour.
Ref: Borski
Man of the Match: Pennant constant threat throughout and set up 3 goals.
Stoke: Sorenson, Wilkinson, Upson, Shawcross, Wilson (Collins), Pennant (Soares), Whelan, Whitehead, Pugh, Walter s (Shotton), Jones
Subs: Nash, Woodgate, Tonge