Thomas Sorenson - 6 - Had nothing to do apart from pick the ball out of the net for the goal. Fumbled a mishit Jerome shot for the goal but can be excused as it was awkward with the mishit
Robert Huth - 7 - Put out on one leg and put in a good, solid display. Nothing got past him and he offered support and a threat going forward
Danny Higginbotham - 7 - Restored at left back and looked at home. Bombed forward early on and the defence looked stronger with him at full back
Abdoulaye Faye - 6 - At times he looked back to his best but pulled out of two tackles second half, one saw the conceding of the corner that led to the goal and another saw Shawcross rescue him. Unlucky with header late on
Ryan Shawcross - 7 - Cracking display again on injury comeback. Like a rock and saved Stoke late on. Should have netted at least once in the first half as the luck of how he was timing his runs was just out.
Liam Lawrence - 6 - Plenty of effort but little luck or end product. Looked as if he felt he had to do something every time he got the ball and this meant he was trying too hard and nothing came off
Matthew Etherington - 8(Man of the Match) - Even with Lawrence on the other wing everything had to come through the speedster. First half he was well supported and had overlaps, bodies in the box and people making runs so he was able to set up chance after chance but all those aspects disappeared second half but he continued to swing in cross after cross, doing all the work himself, only for little to come of some cracking deliveries
Rory Delap - 7 - Broke up play well, got forward well and had bundles of energy. Proved he is a decent central midfielder, not a right winger, and is an option alongside a more attack minded player
Dean Whitehead - 8 - His best game for Stoke. Ran Etherington close for Man of the Match and did everything. Broke up play, spread the play, got from box to box, relieved pressure and even had a shot or two that were blocked on their way to goal
James Beattie - 6 - Started brightly but faded badly and was left on ten minutes too long. One touch early on and used the wingers to set up attacks but either his body let him down or he just lost interest second half
Tuncay - 7 - Ran around a lot. never stopped infact, but produced little offensively and had a frustrating day, nothing quite came off for him
Ricardo Fuller - 6 - Looked disinterested and when we needed a Fuller masterclass he ambled around seemingly waiting for the final whistle.
Mama Sidibe - 6 - Won a few headers but lost a few aswell. The defenders were wise to him and went to ground every time he went up, causing mass frustration amongst the supporters and players