If you had read Chris Bascombe’s News of the World article regarding this match, then you would have been subjected to completely fabricated remarks that this match was won on the basis of “grotesque” football that was conveyed as unbearable to watch. The irony of this notion portrayed is that it was Liverpool who at times aimlessly lumped the ball up to Torres in the hope that he could win the aerial battles against the imperious Huth and Shawcross; this he did not. Whilst Stoke still adopted a rather direct approach, it was embellished with a more versatile side which involved the likes of Pennant, Etherington and Whitehead dominating the midfield. From a neutral’s perspective with no prior knowledge of the two teams, you would have probably suspected it was Dean Whitehead who had lifted the Champions League trophy years ago in Istanbul, not Steven Gerrard. A slight exaggeration, perhaps, but the idea I’m trying to put across is that Stoke weren’t lucky, or put under much pressure at all, they dominated the game throughout.
It was a fantastic night to be a Stoke fan, largely due to the result, but also the comprehensive manner of the win. After a shaky run which involved 5 straight losses and a disappointing end to a mid-week victory against Birmingham, this win restored confidence and belief; leaving us dumbfounded at why we were even considering ourselves for relegation this season. The defence were simply faultless. After a poor performance from Higginbotham and Faye in the middle last week, both played no part in the game on Saturday and it may be no coincidence that Stoke battled for, and won a clean sheet without Faye, who had been a scapegoat for several goals conceded of late. As stated before, Shawcross and Huth demonstrated how they are easily the best central defensive partnership in the squad, winning every ball that came their way in the air. The partnership seemed that of a team battling for Europe, not against the dreary depths of relegation. More scrutiny therefore, can be directed to Fabio Capello’s bemusing decision to place Chris Smalling in the England squad ahead of Shawcross, but that is a completely different story all together in the light of this evident prejudice against Stoke players playing for England. The two-full backs also deserve appraisal, Danny Collins put in a decent performance but the position still remains one of the more weaker outlets in our system, whilst Wilkinson played excellently to add more food for thought in the ‘Can he cut it?’ debate with regards to his Premier League credentials. As well as this, Asmir Begovic hammered yet another nail in Thomas Sorensen’s First-team coffin with a perfect goalkeeping display which highlighted good handling and good command of his defence. However, the outfield 10 would be right to feel aggrieved that Begovic somehow managed to win the sponsor’s ‘Man of the Match’ award, none more so than Dean Whitehead or Jermaine Pennant.
After receiving a lot of criticism for recent performances, it was refreshing to see Whitehead back to his best in a Stoke shirt, linking up defence and attack whilst remaining responsible at the back. Pennant himself was fantastic and showed real promise again; technically he was flawless and seems to be everything Stoke have been crying out for on the right side of midfield. His pace and ability on the ball was evident and this was exemplified when his sweetly placed pass fell just in between Krygiakos and Skrtel at Kenwyne’s feet, allowing the Trinidadian striker to tuck home a relatively easy one-on-one around the 90th minute mark. Delap and Etherington also performed well as Rory seemingly silenced supporters and outsiders who feel he is only just in the team for his throw. His box-to-box running was admirable and his performance, with Liverpool’s, was somewhat signified when he dispossessed Gerrard with a simplistic standing tackle. Although this was admittedly a miniscule moment in the grand scheme of a 90 minute football match, it symbolised everything the two teams had been about all game.
Whitehead winning the midfield battles
Liverpool were toothless, they lacked passion and were a far cry from their victory over Chelsea last weekend. The system Hodgson employed seemed to be aimless, there was no coherence between Torres and Kuyt up front, and it was alarming that with wingers, who are not necessarily renowned for their natural ability on the flanks, Hodgson attempted to play with one up front. Their reliance on Gerrard and Torres also seems as though it will be futile this season, and even the lower tier of Europe could be out of their grasp. Their only one honourably mention could go to Carragher for dealing with Etherington relatively well, but this was all undone an abysmal showing from Konchesky. This performance, when contrasted with that of an ambitious Stoke team endeavouring for the full three points, leaves us with no surprise that Stoke won comfortably.
The win for Stoke came with various positives. As a result of this previous poor form, many felt Pulis had an inability to evolve as a manager tactically, and many also pre-empted a return to what tabloids used to describe (and in Chris Bascombe’s case, still do) as ‘kick and rush’ football. The style we employed in turn, presented us with the complete counter argument for this. Balance was the key and Stoke were able to combine direct play with an aesthetically pleasing moments. It offered general reassurance that this team could adapt and can push on past the ‘three year plan’ that Pulis and Coates have in place.
It was also nice to see Kenwyne Jones getting on the scoresheet after recently poor performances. Kenwyne started the season like a house on fire, scoring 3 goals and putting in blinding performances which gave off the impression that the £8 million price tag was a bargain for the much anticipated ‘Mama with goals.’ Things were changing though and ever since the poor run began Jones became notoriously blasé about his performances and stopped chasing down defenders and avidly joining the attack on some occasions. Jones still didn’t perform in a similar ilk to that of the standards he had set early on this season against Liverpool, but he did win a few headers in the air and linked up with Fuller well. I’m sure many of us are hoping in earnest that this goal and relatively good performance may jolt Jones into action again, because when he plays well he is a great asset to us and the way we play.
Can Kenny get back to his best?
My final and most heart-warming positive was to see the great appreciation that Ricardo Fuller received before and after his goal. The man is a true Stoke legend and an absolute icon and figurehead for everything we have achieved in recent seasons, and whilst his goal came as a result of a fortuitous penalty box scrap, it was fitting that it was him who gave us the lead in what truly was vengeance for an 8-0 drubbing we received years ago by the Reds.
Ricardo Fuller City's number 10
Essentially, this victory was undoubtedly a great, deserved win, and all underlying concerns and worries can be brushed under the carpet for a while. The 3 points caps off a triumphant 7 days in what could have been the most pivotal week in our season. Negative? In some people’s eyes perhaps, not mine. Regardless, it’s effective, and Mr.Bascombe will have to deal with his skewed perceptions if we can maintain results like these.
Player Ratings:
Begovic – 7, Wilkinson - 8, Shawcross – 8, Huth – 7, Collins – 6, Pennant – 8, Whitehead – 8, Delap – 7, Etherington - 7, Fuller – 8, Jones – 7
