Spirit, Determination and Passion were in abundance as brilliant Stoke put in a performance worthy of the Cup Final itself as they brushed aside the Billionaires of Manchester City, clinching a deserved victory over a side we have played 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Mancini duly moaned about what might have been, saying that they deserved to win, I think those comments say more about the pressure he is feeling than any genuine reflection of the game that actually unfolded before him.

Ryan's Revenge ©Getty Images

What a game that was; Stoke depleted by suspensions and injury again made a number of changes, Collins coming in for Higgy, Lawrence back in on the right and Diao coming into the middle alongside Whelan with Whitehead filling in at right back. This really was a team performance and despite a pretty laboured first half the second half and extra time produced a much improved showing, the Stoke players brimming with confidence and Pulis using his squad to full effect not just over the tie itself but the congested month as a whole.

It’s hard to mark players individually as they were all Man of the Match such was the level of determination, passion and commitment – but I will do so to give myself the opportunity to wax lyrical on a historic performance.

Manager Rating – 9.8 – Pulis was brilliant tonight, he loses a fraction of a score for starting Diao, though his options were limited in that position he could have used Pugh or similar. Pulis has used his squad well and the substitutions for this game were spot on, he saw how ineffectual Diao was, in fact, I think this may be the game where it has dawned that Salif is no longer worthy of such a big role, not on the playing side anyway.

Player Ratings

Sorensen – 9 – Did what he needed to do and made 2 or 3 vital saves to keep us in the game. He also looked a lot more comfortable coming for balls and aside from when he was second to a cross and Barry headed over, he was a different keeper to the one of the last few games.

Whitehead – 10 – Man of the Match – I still can’t believe what an engine this man has, in the 119th minute his bombed forward from the back in anticipation of a pass!! He was excellent at Right Back and dare I say performed the best I have seen in that position all season. He supported every attack down that side, distributed the ball well and positionally, played like he had been there all his career.

Huth – 9 – A stellar defensive performance from both our Centre Backs, they were worked a bit harder this week than last but stood up well and Huth looks better with each passing game.

Shawcross – 9.5 – Another great performance from Ryan and was so chuffed for him to get his revenge goal, he could so easily have had another from a Whelan corner but he looked delighted with his header and so he should – another good performance from the stand in Captain, I’m very proud of him.

Collins – 8 – Hmm, Danny didn’t do TOO badly and showed some good touches on the ball and supported the attack well down the left BUT his positioning was poor for much of the evening. That said, and it’s probably not saying much, this was Danny’s best game so far I would say.

Lawrence – 7.5 – Nice to see Liam back in the side but again, he failed to do the simple things right and was caught in possession on more than one occasion trying to drag the ball back through his legs before standing arms outstretched instead of tackling back

Whelan – 9.5 – Another good game from Glenn, like my last report suggested, the more game time he gets the less mistakes he is making, I think we have found our best midfield partnership in him and Whitehead (even though they didn’t play next to each other tonight)

Diao – 4.5 – Half a mark for a tackle on the halfway line that was wrongly punished for Salif. A woeful display once more and as I said above, I think Pulis has seen what we all do and will use him sparingly from now on, if at all – at least I hope so. Some of his passing was awful and his tackling at times is so slow the player isn’t there by the time he thrusts his leg out.

Delap – 8.5 – Filling in on the left I think we know the main reason Delap was included and we were duly rewarded as he put the ball right onto Ryan’s bonce for our second goal. Plenty of energy and whilst he looked more comfortable in the middle, he didn’t embarrass out on the left.

Sidibe – 9 – A good game from Mama, had the best pass completion rate in the first half from all of our players including an amazing slide rule reverse pass at pace along the ground for Ric into the left channel. Worked tirelessly and for the first time looked a bit flustered with some of the decisions, whether he is tired after such a long time out or not I don’t know, but a good performance and a deserved standing ovation when he went off.

Fuller – 9 – Caused problems all over the pitch and was his exuberant, selfish self. He seemed to be getting involved in plenty of disagreements and there were lots of occasions of arm flapping, but the fact is he HAS to be in the side because he is so very dangerous.

Substitutes

Tuncay – 9 – Tunny injected some much needed class and whilst he was still struggling when tackling a player he was a lot better on the right hand side. Worked brilliantly with Kitson for the first goal and then turned two defenders inside out for his own – we have real strength in depth now and to be able to call on any of our front 4 from tonight is a big bonus for the side.

Pugh – 9 – A lovely little cameo from Danny, used the ball well, looked confident and was always making space in what was a much more mobile midfield unit at the back end of the second half. I’m glad Danny did well and hopefully he will get more game time as he is clearly a good player and his attitude having been on the fringes for the last couple of years is first class and one that many must look to.

Kitson – 9 – Back from the wilderness, Kits got a rousing reception from the fans and duly repaid them with a performance worthy of their adulation. Kits has sat down with Pulis after the transfer window and has been told in no uncertain terms to get his head down and train hard and he will get his chance, well he did and he put in an impressive performance. I just hope that Kits takes this latest chance and doesn’t start sulking again as he looks useful and as long as he works hard and stays focussed could well have a future beyond the next transfer window.