Premier League - Stoke battle for point at Wigan

Eurosport - Sat, 08 Nov 17:42:00 2008

Stoke City stood firm to win a hard-earned point in a 0-0 draw against Premier League strugglers Wigan Athletic.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Wigan-Stoke Ricardo Fuller - 0

After a dull goalless first half at the JJB Stadium the game burst into life as Wigan peppered the visitors' goal looking for a breakthrough that would have given them just their second home win of the season.

But Stoke withstood the onslaught to win a precious point, although the Potters' first top flight win away from home since 1984 remains elusive.

The opening period was a dour affair, with both sides bereft of attacking ideas and neither able to create much in the final third.

It took a full half hour before a shot from either side was registered on target - when Luis Valencia's long range effort was easily saved by Thomas Sorensen - and then another 15 minutes before the Stoke keeper was further troubled, this time Amr Zaki seeing his 25-yarder confidently dealt with by the big Dane.

The visitors were limited to a couple of Rory Delap long throw-ins but, unlike Arsenal's back-line a week earlier, the Wigan defence had little problem in dealing with them and stood firm in the face of the Potters' main attacking weapon.

But the second half started in brighter fashion as Wigan finally began to find ways through the dogged Stoke defence.

That said, the first chance of the second period fell to a Stoke defender, Ryan Shawcross - who had been booked earlier for a needless swipe on Emile Heskey - meeting a corner with a firm header that went straight into the grateful Chris Kirkland's arms.

But that was about as close Stoke would get to finding the back of the net as Wigan upped the tempo and pressed hard for an opener.

And chances for the hosts fell thick and fast during a 10-minute period soon after the re-start, Heskey heading wide before substitute Henri Camara did likewise with virtually his first touch.

Wilson Palacios then brought Sorensen into action again with a close range drive before the keeper made a brilliant double save to deny first Palacios and then Titus Bramble on 76 minutes.

Zaki, usually so lethal in front of goal, suffered a rare off-day, the Egyptian squandering two gilt-edged chances in quick succession with headers that went wildly off target.

Sorensen made a save from a Jason Koumas drive and Mario Melchiot saw a late header blocked just in front of the line as Wigan poured forward in a desperate bid to find a late winner.

But their efforts were to prove in vain as the Stoke defence stood firm to lift Tony Pulis's side into ninth position - for the time being at least.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. for god sake get off the back of stoke ,There big there physical and hard,just like the the division was years ago ,

    From Neil, on Tue 11 Nov 5:15PM

  2. just had a quick look at the matchcast and i was wondering wether or not stoke actually bothered to turn up as there was so much written about wigan, or was the matchcast written by a wigan fan. if anybody could put me straight then please feel free. WERE STOKE THERE?

    From UNCLE FESTA, on Mon 10 Nov 1:45PM

  3. well said nev totally agree.

    From AUDREY G, on Sun 9 Nov 11:05AM

  4. Its 'FANS' that watch games like this! 'Fans' are not driven away because 'THEIR' team are not the best in the world. They support their local teams because they are fans.

    The well heeled people who travel 6 hours to the (Home) game, to support a multi national company masquerading as a football team, are late back from the bar at half time, make no noise in support of their team, only buy the tickets because its fashionable to be seen at the match and leave early when they are losing, are not fans!

    Lets face it money has ruined the game, no longer can the likes of Stoke hope to win the league, the big 4 have already bought and paid for it before the season begins.

    And, would the so called managerial greats have a different approach to the game if they did not have the financial backing that they presently enjoy?

    From Nev, on Sun 9 Nov 10:44AM

  5. I,know how to keep

    From happyofgod2002, on Sat 8 Nov 5:47PM

  6. has you are helping may God help you more than you want in Jesus name thank you bye have a nice day.

    From happyofgod2002, on Sat 8 Nov 5:46PM

  7. Thanks if you can do that for me thanks good bye ............................bye for today...... have a nice day good night bye bye see you back tommorrow tkank you .........

    From happyofgod2002, on Sat 8 Nov 5:42PM

  8. Hello,please i want to join your football team please can you help me please i am begging you in the name of Jesus christ please help ,i that you can come to my place .......this is my home address .............
    My name is EGUNSOLA ABEL

    LAGOS STAE AT AGO PALACE WAY OKOTA ST. RAPHEAL, BUS STOP ADEOYE CLOSE BEHIND MR. BIGGS NO.8 .................Just ask me there every body knows me there

    From happyofgod2002, on Sat 8 Nov 5:38PM

  9. well it maybe a lucky point but they all count. Thomas Sorensen has made some fantastic saves for us to keep a clean sheet this game, after the Wigan bombardment in the second half and thus leaves me left to say only this......
    COME ON YOU POTTERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From steve p, on Sat 8 Nov 3:38PM

  10. Ronsenglish
    Well said sir; simply dire stuff!

    From cameron w, on Sat 8 Nov 3:28PM

  11. and super fantastic team does ronsenglish support,maybe its the boring so called big 4 who are driving fans away.

    From AUDREY G, on Sat 8 Nov 2:59PM

  12. It must have been dire even Eurosport couldn't find anything to say, it's teams and games like this that are driving the fans away.

    From Ronsenglish, on Sat 8 Nov 2:50PM
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