Stoke started with the same team that played so well at Everton, again including the rejuvenated Diao alongside the yet to be juvinated Whitehead in the middle in what looks like an unwelcome departure from the more positive centre midfield pairings that saw much success at the tail end of last season. The team started very well and upped the tempo immediately as West Ham lined up with a nod to Stoke’s strength by playing two Defensive Midfielders in front of a back 5 including England’s Green and Upson and playing only one up front with another England International in Carlton Cole.
It was Stoke, however, who looked the most likely to score and a lovely move down the left undid the already nervous back line of the Hammers. The improved Collins played a lovely ball to Fuller who spotted the run of ex Hammer Etherington, back-heeling the ball into his path only for Faubert to bring him down – Penalty was the decision. Beattie continued his spectacular form from the spot (only one missed in 36) by smashing the ball into the top corner past Green.
Stoke then reverted to type and sat back on the lead and it wasn’t long before the Hammers were back into the game – a very cute move from a set piece meant two Stoke players collided leaving a free run and header for Upson past Sorensen doing his best starfish impression, Spongebob Squarepants fans might have been impressed, the Stoke fans, however, were not.
West Ham were clearly buoyed by this and had the better of the possession without ever really testing the Stoke keeper as Stoke continued to sit back. The improved Diao was physically and mentally tiring at this point with successive failed passes so it was no surprise when the board went up for a substitute, though it was to be for Delap who was replaced by the surprisingly benched Lawrence. Lawrence’s introduction seemed to better balance the side and not long afterwards a good interception and tackle by Diao, followed by another tired underhit pass to Fuller dragged out Upson to slide for the ball before the excellent Fuller nicked the ball past him leaving the England hopeful on his backside before taking on an ambitious cross/shot which Green parried into Beattie’s path who snaked a leg past the hapless Faubert to make it 2-1 to the Potters, the two goal striker summoning just enough energy to celebrate given the 70yd sprint to get there.
It was then Stoke keeping a higher line and Fuller almost toying with the Hammer’s defence as he gained 5 yards then skipped by Tomkins before nut-megging him later on, the Jamaican clearly enjoying himself. It was another player though that caught my eye and that was the other England hopeful (in my eyes anyway), Ryan Shawcross – he had an excellent game against West Ham’s top goalscorer, it wouldn’t surprise me if Cole still hadn’t found his way out of Ryan’s pocket as that’s where he spent much of the match. I had previously thought that Ryan going to the World Cup was a biased opinion but having seen how he handled Cole so easily coupled with how poor Upson was, is it really such a dream to think the young Stoke player should not be booking any holidays for next Summer just yet?
The game was then soured somewhat by an ugly incident where West Ham again tried to gain an advantage through blocking tactics in the area, Stoke weren’t so accommodating this time though as Huth re-opened the previously stitched up gash above Upson’s eye for his troubles – the big German now expecting a retrospective 3 match ban fro violent conduct.
An excellent result but still a few question marks over Lawrence and Whelan’s exclusion and the Tuncay saga is starting to concern me a little now, but whilst Pulis continues to get the results I shall respect his decisions and enjoy the success of his judgement.
Manager Rating- 8
Player Ratings
Sorensen - 7
Huth - 7
Faye – 6.5
Shawcross – 9.5 (Man of the Match)
Collins – 7.5
Delap - 7
Whitehead - 6
Diao – 7.5
Etherington - 8
Beattie - 8
Fuller – 9
Subs
Lawrence – 7
Whelan – 7
Kitson – 6.5
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