There's not been too much festive cheer in the Potteries after some poor results - ironically, the games against Villa and Man City have seen us play some of our best football this season and argueably last too - we just haven't taken our chances.

How that changed in a snow swept Britannia on a cold Tuesday night as Stoke set about destroying one of the form teams of the division, in the first half, like the snow, Fulham were swept away at the Brit by an eager, energetic Stoke side who looked like they had much to prove. Let's hope this is the Villa moment from last season where we turn our season around for the better.

The team worked hard for one another and with Tuncay pulling many of the strings we managed to get 3 up at half time, with a disallowed goal and two goal line clearances stopping the score getting into silly territory.

Pulis stuck with Tuncay up front alongside Sidibe and Collins was once again left out, Simmo came in for Sorenson who failed a late fitness test.

Manager Rating - 8.5 - Picked a strong enough team, personally wouldn't have started Sidibe but to be fair, he did score.. good substitution by bringing on Whelan, not so good bringing on Diao..

Player Ratings

Simonsen - 5 - A woeful performance from someone who should have really taken this game as an opportunity to demonstrate he IS Premier League quality, unfortunately for Simmo, he just isn't. The number of times he fumbled or stood motionless on his line instead of collecting the ball was embaressing. Not good enough and painful to watch...

Huth - 7 - A good enough game for the big German, there wasn't a massive threat down the left, many of his clearances were long balls but I think the conditions dictated anything else in our own third could have been suicidal. Good flick on for our first goal..

Shawcross - 8.5 - An excellent game from Ryan, his anticipation and positioning were excellent and you can see him maturing with each game, I never noticed how quick he was too as he managed to keep up with the rapid Johnson at full tilt

Faye - 8 - A much better game from our Captain, still got sucked out of position a few times but looked a lot more assured on the whole, lets hope this is the game that turns his season around - good finish for his goal too

Higginbotham - 7.5 - A solid enough game for Danny as he continues to keep Collins out of the team. His distribution is poor but his defending good, that said he contributed well for the third goal - though struggled towards the end with the introduction of Dempsey who made lots of space for Fulham down our left

Lawrence - 7.5 - A better game from Liam, lots of hard running and challenging, a much better performance than his last, though I think the right side of midfield should be a priority for Pulis this transfer window

Delap - 7.5 - Back in his best position but largely ineffective, special mention to good covering and a handful of clearances from Fulham corners..

Whitehead - 8.5 - Another excellent game for Deano, ever since he was released from the midfield shackles at Blackburn we are keeping the ball a lot better and on top of his immense workrate his range of passing is up there with the best at the club - keep it up Deano!

Etherington - 8.5 - Continuing his potential Player of the Season form, Matty is oozing confidence and is linking up well with Tuncay/Fuller and Whitehead. I know I keep saying it but I really do believe he will be in the England squad for the World Cup.

Tuncay - 9 - Man of the Match - Yes, he only had a half a game but his enthusiasm and energy is infectious - he is a joy to watch and is turning into a real fans favourite. Having a part in all 3 goals including scoring one, he takes the MOTM award for me. I just hope his hamstring strain is not too bad as he seems to be full of confidence at the moment.

Sidibe - 7.5 - Well done for scoring Mama but the rest of your game was poor, passing when you should shoot, getting the ball caught under your feet and controlling it as far as you pass it aren't what we should be seeing from a Premier League striker. I fully expect another target man to be signed in the next few weeks..

Substitutes

Fuller - 8.5 - Looked a lot more up for it and what a treat to be able to bring on a player of Fuller's quality when someone like Tuncay has to come off. Held the ball up well and was unlucky not to bag at least one goal for himself, I would still like to see another game with him and Tuncay up front...

Whelan - 8 - Was brought on to help retain the ball better and he did just that. Popping up all over the pitch and using the ball well to help us retain possession..

Diao - 5.5 - Not on too long but for the time he WAS on the pitch he put us under pressure with poor touches and vertical headers