Stoke built on their 3 points against Burnley with another 3 against big spending Sunderland. A Kitson goal and and another dogged defensive display ensured city bagged the points and gained their third clean sheet in 4 games.

The first half was a scrappy affair with Bent finding his way out of Abdoulaye's pocket on a couple of occasions, though Sorensen was untroubled thanks to the wall in front of him - Faye and Higginbotham with particularly brilliant challenges to stop the former Stoke target adding to his tally for the season. Bent got a lively reception thanks to his rant on the twitter, and riled the Boothen end further by patting the Sunderland badge on his chest - perhaps if he had put in as much effort in front of goal things might have been different.

Kitson was noticeably improved and took his chance to shine as Beattie was out injured following his injury against Birmingham last week. His partner up front, Fuller, had a poor half and all too often gave away possession or ran the ball out of play though we would later see much improved and encouraging link up play between the two. Late on in the half we got a corner and having had relative success in deliveries earlier in the half, another inswinger came in from Lawrence's trusty dog bothering right foot and in the ensuing mayhem Kitson showed exquisite composure and technique as he half volleyed past the helpless Gordon...cue Ginger pandemonium as player and team alike celebrated like they had won the World Cup

The second half started and Stoke looked a lot more comfortable, once more we saw Lawrence and Etherington swap sides and cut inside well, Lawrence having a goal bound shot cleared after a poised volley found it's way through a crowded area. Stoke looked very comfortable and Sunderland were increasingly exposed at the back with Nosworthy and Bardsley in particular suffering from some of the intelligent work between a rejuvinated Kitson and Fuller.

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for, the ground erupted as Tony called Tuncay off the bench, we're not sure what was said as there was some shoulder shrugging on the Turk's part as he discussed his entrance onto the hallowed turf of his new arena. His impact was immediate as he managed to wrestle possession of the ball and set off with the ball under perfect control for 40 yards or so before intelligently releasing Kitson on the left whose centre was too far in front of Whitehead who was running in to support the attack. Tuncay showed more silky skills and worked well with Lawrence down the right, the muscles in the legs of the players were as tired at this point as those on the faces of the crowd as each fan beamed ear to ear at the realisation of such a talent wearing the red and white of our beloved club.

The ability of Tuncay to retain the ball and use it intelligently meant that instead of sitting deep and inviting the kind of deep sitting painful ending to games we are so used to, we were able to sit higher up the pitch and hold off any closing attacks Sunderland might attempt - Huth was brought on just in case they actually managed to though.

A much better half as well as the impressive cameo of our Turkish magician has given Stoke fans much to be happy with and we can only look on in more amazement as news of 2 more imminent signings due on Monday with maybe more to follow keep this wonderful dream going. One position we may see an addition is up front, we once looked at Darren Bent but after today, you know where you can stick him....

Player Ratings;

Sorensen - 7
Wilkinson - 6
Shawcross - 8
Faye - 8
Higginbotham - 7
Lawrence - 8
Whelan - 8
Delap - 8
Etherington - 7
Kitson - 9 (Man of the Match)
Fuller - 6

Subs;

Tuncay - 8
Huth - 6
Whitehead - 6