A surprising line up but a good positive display saw Stoke take not just a point but also much encouragement away from Goodison Park.

As soon as I heard the team I, like most Stokies I would think, shook my head in disbelief at the inclusion of Salif Diao, the perennially injured dressing room lynchpin seemingly rushed back into action following his latest injury and only one reserve game. As it turned out, this proved to be somewhat of a master stroke by Pulis as the Senegalese was certainly the player of the first half before visibly tiring soon after the break and being substituted. What annoyed many was Diao’s inclusion in spite of his lack of physical and match fitness, something that Pulis claims is the reason he is not playing Tuncay, surely this reason does not hold any credence given the fact that Fuller and Beattie also played despite not being fully fit.

There were plenty of positives to be taken from the game, I thought the previously berated Collins had a better game and seems to be settling in a bit better. Unfortunately the same can’t be said of Whitehead, who despite his tireless running and breaking up of the play always seems to misplace or under hit his passes much to the frustration of those in the middle of an appreciative clap from him winning the ball back in the first place – I think I will refer to this as the Clap/Groan phenomenon from now on (if you sniggered quietly there, shame on you)

I was also pleasantly surprised at how far up the pitch we played and also how many players we committed to the attacks we carved out, even deep into injury time. The ability of Fuller to hold the ball up and commit more than one defender is vital to this though and his performance on the day showed just how much the side and the system have missed him following his groin injury – I’m not sure the result would have been the same had he not recovered after the worrying grimace and limping after only 4 mins of play.

The goal was a well worked corner from the brilliant Etherington, Robert Huth continuing his excellent form by firmly planting a header into the top corner having lost his marker from the inswinger. I’m always cautious of post goal Delilah’s and this one was once more cut short by Everton’s equaliser, the diminutive Osman lashing in a beauty of a shot having made room for himself on the edge of the area.

Stoke had to withstand some heavy pressure but the defence stood firm and headed most balls away, with Sorensen only making one save of note. It wasn’t all Everton pressure as Stoke pushed up the pitch allowing the midfield to join the attack and the sight of us committing players forward to support an attack in the 92nd minute made many rub their eyes in disbelief, much as they did when seeing Diao named in the starting XI and Tuncay still remaining on the bench for 90 mins.

A point was a fair result on the balance of play and it seems Pulis’ tactics on the day were justified but sooner or later he will have to be truthful about Tuncay’s exclusion from proceedings, the fitness excuse is not one that washes, the supporters are not stupid and can see that something else is clearly an issue here; most likely it is just that Tuncay needs time to adapt to our special way of playing, if that’s the case then just say that and don’t patronise us with the fitness line.

Player Ratings (all start with a 6)

Sorensen – 7.5
Huth - 8
Faye – 7.5
Shawcross – 7.5
Collins – 7.5
Delap - 6
Whitehead – 5.5
Diao - 8
Etherington – 8.5 (Man of the Match)
Fuller - 8
Beattie – 6.5

Substitutes

Whelan – 6
Kitson – Not on long enough to rate

Pulis Rating - 8