FA Cup - Hartlepool stun Stoke

Eurosport - Sat, 03 Jan 19:44:00 2009

League One Hartlepool United stunned Premier League Stoke City with a 2-0 FA Cup third-round win thanks to goals from Michael Nelson and David Foley at Victoria Park.

FOOTBALL Stoke Pulis - 0

City boss Tony Pulis rested seven first-team regulars and was without the injured Andy Griffin and suspended Ricardo Fuller following their on-pitch altercation during the 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham.

The Potters paid the price as managerless Hartlepool claimed a big scalp thanks to second half goals from Nelson and Foley.

Caretaker 'Pools manager Chris Turner has been filling in for the recently sacked Danny Wilson and he masterminded the first shock of the third round in the early match.

Pulis's decision to leave out so many stars reflected his desire for Premier League survival ahead of FA Cup glory, but the damage to Stoke's morale will hardly help their survival hopes.

Stoke had started brightly and Ibrahima Sonko hit a post with a header from Glenn Whelan's second-minute cross.

But Hartlepool gradually worked their way into the match and Gary Liddle forced a solid block by Sonko before Ben Clark smashed the rebound well wide.

Rory Delap's long throws have caused problems for a host of Premier League defences this season and the Stoke midfielder launched another missile to the near post, this time from the right, and Ryan Shawcross sent a header wide.

Michael Tonge had his first chance to go for goal with 14 minutes of the half remaining when he cut inside and drilled in a low right-foot shot which goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett saved well at his near post.

Hartlepool pressed even harder for an opener at the start of the second half and got the lucky break that often turns cup ties in the 49th-minute.

Referee Mark Halsey awarded a free-kick after Andrew Davies fouled Joel Porter tangled on the right wing.

Pulis was furious with Halsey's decision and his anger was compounded when Matty Robson's free-kick was met at the far post by Nelson, whose thumping header flashed past Steve Simonsen.

It could have been worse for the top-flight side as Hartlepool went for broke, Robson firing another cross just over Jones' head at the far post.

Pulis made a double change a minute later when he sent on Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson but it was Hartlepool who got the crucial next goal in the 76th minute.

Foley's pace was proving a problem to Stoke as they committed men to attack, and he hit the target in spectacular style with 14 minutes remaining when he lashed an unstoppable 25-yard shot into the top corner.

Delap fired just wide at the other end seconds later and had an 81st-minute header saved from close range, but there was no way back for Stoke.

AFP

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. stoke are @#$%, @#$%, and are a waste of footie tv time

    From G, on Mon 5 Jan 1:00PM

  2. stoke play it 5 central mid fielders they must buy a winger. Pulis forgets football is plaued with feet not delaps hands

    From Vlatko T, on Sun 4 Jan 9:46AM

  3. love all the comments and agree that stoke are *@#$

    From j.cocking66, on Sat 3 Jan 9:37PM

  4. Ok stoke now think about staying up in the prem please

    From Matthew S, on Sat 3 Jan 7:57PM

  5. i am a mad pools fan and yes the fa cup is coming to victoria park

    From Tony, on Sat 3 Jan 5:37PM

  6. Pulis got just what he deserved by underestimating'Pools

    From coolmikej, on Sat 3 Jan 5:02PM

  7. Stoke are one of several premier League clubs who thrive by stopping their opponents from playing football as best they can. They are a horrific bunch of cheaters and filthy @#$% and I hope they go down, never to re-surface.

    From Tim Hine, on Sat 3 Jan 5:01PM

  8. Somebody went to a 'Pool' and got their @#$% 'Stoked'

    From Michelle H, on Sat 3 Jan 4:50PM

  9. ha ha stoke,u lot are so sh**,@#$% team,@#$% manager,@#$% play style and @#$% fans ha ha,GOING DOWN.

    From , on Sat 3 Jan 4:21PM

  10. C'mon Stoke get a grip,winning is contagious -you ain't winning in the league so this was an ideal oportunity for a win & a player boost

    From roger h, on Sat 3 Jan 4:07PM

  11. come on the pools!!!!!

    From danny r, on Sat 3 Jan 3:44PM

  12. @#$% ,stoke what the f**k

    From Neil, on Sat 3 Jan 3:02PM

  13. WTG the Pool burnt their @#$%

    From lxdollarsxl, on Sat 3 Jan 2:56PM
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