Saturday November 26, 2011 Day 13 Finished Britannia Stadium

Stoke City 3 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

  • Delap 28’
  • Whelan 58’
  • Crouch 72’
  • Rochina 86’

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  1. Stoke pile misery on Blackburn

    Stoke pile misery on Blackburn

    Blackburn Rovers slumped to a fifth defeat in their last eight Premier League games after they were comfortably beaten 3-1 at Stoke City. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Stoke City
    • Blackburn Rovers
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+2' The final whistle goes and Stoke end a run of four straight defeats, while also piling the pressure on Blackburn.
    • 90+1' Rochina unleashes another cracking strike and this time Sorensen makes a fine sprawling save!
    • 90' Delap hustles N'zonzi off the ball and squares for Jones... The shot is poor and saved by the feet of Robinson. The whistle had already gone for Delap fouling N'Zonzi.
    • 88' Yakubu has a dig from the edge of the box, but it takes a big deflection and loops safely to Sorensen.
    • 87' That's Rochina's sixth goal of the season, though only his second in the league.
    • 86' GOAL!! STOKE 3-1 BLACKBURN!! It may be nothing more than a consolation, but Rochina scores easily the best goal of the game as he lashes a left-footed strike right into the near top corner! Sorensen had no chance with that one.
    • 85' Yakubu turns on the edge of the box and gets his shot away, but it's right at Sorensen.
    • 84' Great run from Hoilett into the box and Shawcross brigns him down! Blackburn want a penalty but the referee says the defender got a touch on the ball.
    • 83' Stoke substitution: Kenwyne Jones replaces Crouch.
    • 82' Wilson feints taking the free-kick and runs down the flank. Etherington slips the ball into his path but the ball is intercepted. Nice idea, but good, alert defending.
    • 81' Pedersen fouls Crouch, and Stoke have another free-kick in a threatening area...
    • 80' N'Zonzi sends an effort off target. Cue wolf whisltes from the home crowd.
    • 79' Stoke are three goals up, but they are still pressing Blackburn in determined fashion.
    • 78' Walters plays an aerial one-two with Crouch and fires his strike across the face of goal! Decent effort from the Ireland striker there.
    • 77' Referee plays advantage after Pedersen's cross is handled, and the second ball in is cleared by Stoke.
    • 75' If Bolton win at Everton later today then Blackburn will be at least four points from safety at the end of this round of fixtures.
    • 73' That's Crouch's fifth goal of the season, and his fifth in his last five league appearances against Blackburn!
    • 72' GOAL!! STOKE 3-0 BLACKBURN!! Classic route one, Blackburn don't deal with it and Crouch slides his left-footed finish underneath Robinson! Game over.
    • 71' Stoke substitution: Dean Whitehead replaces Pennant.
    • 70' Blackburn substitution: Jason Roberts replaces Formica.
    • 69' Etherington runs at his full-back, but he also runs out of pitch and the ball goes for a goal kick.
    • 67' Pennant hares after a ball forward from Delap and shoulder barges Dann. It's a fair barge but the linesman flags up for a foul.
    • 66' Stoke are happy to sit back and soak up the Blackburn pressure now and hit them on the counter. Hard to see a way back for Rovers now.
    • 64' Crouch manages to bring the ball down inside the area but his shot is blocked.
    • 62' Pedersen floats the ball in, but N'Zonzi is penalised for having his arms all over Shawcross. How is he not in the referee's book already?
    • 61' Blackburn have responded well to that second goal, and they win another corner.
    • 60' Blackburn haven’t scored against in their last five PL matches (home and away). Failing to score today would mean their second longest goal drought against a specific club in the PL. They failed to score in seven in a row against Chelsea from Aug 2006 – October 2009.
    • 59' Whelan's first goal of the season was a fortunate one. Robinson looked to be right behind the low strike, only to helplessly watch it loop over him.
    • 58' GOAL!! STOKE 2-0 BLACKBURN!! Etherington motors down the left and cuts the ball back from the byline. Walters lays it off for Whelan and the strike takes a wicked deflection that sends the ball over Robinson!
    • 57' Shawcross tries to shield the ball out for a goal kick but Yakubu hustles enough to win a corner. Stoke clear the set piece easily.
    • 56' Rochina turns Wilson well out wide and gets in a decent cross to Hoilett at the far post, but there is no one there to pounce on his nod down.
    • 54' Lowe hacks into touch for another throw. Delap goes short this time and Etherington puts in an inviting cross for Huth at the far post... Headed wide! The Stoke defender knows how good a chance that was.
    • 53' Eurosport reader James writes in to say: "Starting to feel sorry for Blackburn, your team has­ become a joke. Sooner you get rid of the owners and­ management the better for everyone who loves football.­"
    • 52' Delap lugs another long throw into the box. It's a good one and Shawcross nudges Robinson. Rovers win the free-kick.
    • 51' Pedersen's delivery to the far post has potential, but it goes out for a goal kick.
    • 50' Yakubu is tripped by Wilkinson and Blackburn have a good chance to send in a free-kick here.
    • 49' Bright start to the second half from Rovers, but will they get a better chance than the one spurned by Formica?
    • 47' The corner goes over everyone and Rochina picks it up. He skips his way through two defenders and into the box. He's shepherded to the byline but gets a backheel into the six-yard box... A swing and a miss from Formica! A great chance goes begging for Blackburn!
    • 46' Hoilett comes forward down the elft and feeds Yakubu, who wins a corner.
    • 46' Blackburn get the second half underway! no changes for either side at the break.
    • 45+3' The half-time whistle blows, and Stoke are just about good for their lead. This has been one for the purists though.
    • 45+2' The long ball is headed away to the edge of the box and Ruben Rochina has one shot blocked and a second run through to Sorensen, who is right behind it.
    • 45+2' Crouch is penalised for using his arm to block a long pass, and Rovers have one more set piece before half-time.
    • 45' Two minutes of added time to be played at the end of the half.
    • 44' Crouch is flagged for offside and he has a right to look incredulous - he received the ball from a throw-in. Nothing in the rules to say you can be offside from a throw.
    • 43' Again Pennant and Wilkinson have to double-team Hoilett. The Canadian is a real handful.
    • 41' Pedersen sends a corner to the far post and Dann sends a looping header back over Sorensen... Whelan heads it off the line! Hoilett goes for the half-volley but slashes his effort off target!
    • 40' A very poor crossfield pass from Lowe gifts the ball to Pennant. The Stoke winger surges forward down the channel but Givet follows him all the way and robs the ball from him with great timing and strength.
    • 39' Pedersen has a pop from range when he has team-mates in support, and his effort goes high and wide.
    • 37' Good pressing from Stoke forces Lowe to play all the way back to Robinson. One thing this side does not lack in desire.
    • 36' The linesman has a little wry smile as he lets Pedersen know he's watching his corner very carefully, following last week's controversy involving him and Yakubu against Wigan.
    • 35' Pedersen takes the throw quickly and gives the ball to Dann. The defender fires the ball in from way out and it takes a deflection. Corner to Rovers.
    • 34' Pedersen's strike clatters against the wall and out for a throw.
    • 33' Delap brings down Formica as the Argentine brings the ball forward through the middle. The free-kick is quite far out, but that won't deter Pedersen from taking a crack at goal here...
    • 32' Crouch leaves the ball for Pennant, who nip to the byline and clips in another good ball, but it's a little too high for any of his team-mates to attack.
    • 31' Givet tries the give-and-go with Hoilett but again Pennant is working hard down that right flank and he stops the full-back's progress.
    • 30' Blackburn have now not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 16 Premier League games.
    • 29' Delap's second goal of the season has put the Potters ahead.
    • 28' GOAL!! STOKE 1-0 BLACKBURN!! Pennant bends in a cracking delivery and Rory Delap gets in front of Gael Givet to head past Robinson!
    • 27' Clumsy trip on Crouch by N'Zonzi, and Stoke have a free-kick in a good position here. Pennant will deliver...
    • 26' Hoilett limps off to get treatment, but he'll be back on the field soon enough.
    • 25' Another instance of Pennant tracking back to help Wilkinson deal with Hoilett, but this time the winger's tackle leaves its mark on the Rovers forward.
    • 24' Hoilett gets the better of Andy Wilkinson, but Pennant is there to cover his full-back with a good tackle.
    • 23' Blackburn are the only Premier League club left without a single English goal scorer this season. Scott Dann (2 goals), goalkeeper Paul Robinson (1 goal) and Jason Lowe (0 goals) are the only Englishmen in their starting line up and have a total of 3 career PL goals between them.
    • 22' Another Delap special. Again Rovers clear but again Stoke have the ball. A long pass goes up to jon Walters, and this time he appears to be impeded as he goes for the header.
    • 21' Rovers are really testing referee Mark Halsey's leniency whenever one of their number contests a header with Crouch. The Stoke striker got a shove in the back as he leapt in the centre circle there.
    • 19' Neat triangle from Rovers in the final third, but Hoilett was not there to get on the end of it.
    • 18' Delap sends in a long throw. Headed partially clear but Stoke retain the ball. Pennant's cross to the far post is met by Crouch, who is beaten in the air by Lowe. Another Stoke long throw, and this time Rovers clear it to the Stoke half.
    • 17' Jermaine Pennant has looked lively so far, and he is tripped on the halfway line by Formica as he scampers down the wing.
    • 15' Whelan has finished getting treatment and the match can continue, albeit with blood tinting his moustache. All the Stoke players are sporting face furniture in support of the Movember campaign.
    • 14' N'Zonzi is fortunate not to have been penalised just beforehand for catching Crouch with his arm in the air. No player has seen more bookings than N'Zonzi's six in the Premier League this season.
    • 13' Steven N'Zonzi and Whelan collide in the air. Whelan is the one who takes a moment to get to his feet.
    • 12' Yakubu has scored five goals in his last six Premier League starts for Rovers.
    • 11' Yakubu and Junior Hoilett link up well on the edge of the box before the Nigerian striker's shot is blocked. Decent spell of attacking possession for Rovers.
    • 10' This is the first time Sorensen has player back-to-back league games for Stoke in more than a year, having been ousted as first choice by Asmir Begovic since then.
    • 9' Pedersen slings in another, but Sorensen pushes through the crowd to claim it well.
    • 8' Morten Gamst Pedersen hurls in a long throw that Whelan heads clear for another.
    • 7' Blackburn send plenty of men up for the free-kick, but the delivery is disappointing and an easy catch for Thomas Sorensen.
    • 6' Mauro Formica brings the ball forward and Robert Huth brings him down in midfield. First decent bit of football from Rovers.
    • 5' Matty Etherington whips his corner into the near post, where Ryan Shawcross heads wide. Difficult for him to glance it on target there.
    • 4' Stoke play it about on the deck and Rory Delap's ball forward takes a nick off a defender. First corner goes to Stoke.
    • 3' Blackburn are without a win in their last seven league matches that madcap 4-3 win over Arsenal - and have won only three of their last 26 stretching back to the start of February.
    • 2' Rovers having to endure an early aerial onslaught here. This time Paul Robinson comes out to claim another ball in from the left.
    • 1' A cross is floated into the Rovers box from deep on the left. Crouch leaps comfortably above his marker and sends a header way off target.
    • 1' The match is underway at the Britannia!
    • 12:42 The players are walking out on to the pitch now. We'll be underway shortly. You can share your thoughts throughout the game either by posting in the comments section below or by getting in touch with me via Twitter: @tony_mabert.
    • 12:40 Today's referee is Mark Halsey. The Lancashire official is one of the more lenient in the Premier League. The last time he showed a red card was on this ground, when he sent off Lucas Leiva is Stoke's 2-0 win over Liverpool are year ago.
    • 12:35 In recent interview with us, Pulis spoke about how important the Coates family has been in getting Stoke where they are today, his approach to working with what he's got and those who are not fond of the Potters' style of play, to which he said: "I don't care what people think about the style of play. I don't give a damn what people outside of the football club say." Pulis: I don't listen to the critics
    • 12:30 Stoke manager Tony Pulis is considering an appeal against his £10,000 fine imposed for comments made about referee Lee Probert last month. The Potters boss was charged with improper conduct by the FA following his criticism of the official after the 2-1 Carling Cup exit at home to Liverpool a month ago. Pulis may appeal £10,000 fine
    • 12:25 Apparently there is yet another protest against Blackburn manager Steve Kean planned by some of the travelling supporters today. The news this week that Kean's contract has been revised has irked those who want Kean out, but the Scotsman has moved to put the record straight: "The length of the contract is the same. I'm just delighted the owners have backed me and the players are totally behind what we are trying to do. I'm happy now to move on and piece together what we are trying to do." Venky's "formalise" deal with Kean
    • 12:20 Chris Samba and Martin Olsson are both missing again with hamstring injuries, while ryan Nelsen is back in training but not yet ready to play. That means Grant Hanley partners Scott Dann in the centre of defence again, while young utility man Jason Lowe replaces Michel Salgado at right-back. Lowe has just returned from suspension, while David Dunn is banned for this game. Blackburn Rovers team page
    • 12:20 Stoke striker Peter Crouch has recovered from a groin complaint and, while midfield pair Matthew Etherington and Rory Delap have also both made the team after suffering back problems. Glenn whelan replaces Dean whitehead in midfield, while Marc Wilson comes into the defence in place of Danny Higginbotham. Stoke City team page
    • 12:15 Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington, Walters, Crouch. Subs: Begovic, Higginbotham, Jones, Fuller, Whitehead, Upson, Jerome /// Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Hanley, Dann, Givet, Rochina, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Hoilett, Formica, Yakubu. Subs: Bunn, Petrovic, Blackman, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Roberts, Henley.
    • 12:10 Still waiting on team news, so here's the head-to-head: In 74 previous league meetings between these two sides since the first in 1888, Stoke have won 32 to Blackburn's 38. Of their six Premier League meetings, Stoke are unbeaten in their last five (four wins) and kept clean sheets in all five, since a 3-0 away defeat in December 2008. Blackburn are one of two clubs yet to score against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium in three PL games - the other is Liverpool.
    • 12:05 Stoke find themselves in a peculiar position at the start of the weekend. They are sitting 14th in the table, three points off the relegation zone, but also three points off the top eight! For Rovers, there is no such ambiguity: even a first win at Stoke since 1990 will not lift them out of the bottom three. Premier League table
    • 12:00 Welcome to Eurosport's coverage of the Premier League clash between Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers at the Britannia Stadium!

  • Summary

    • 90+1' Rochina unleashes another cracking strike and this time Sorensen makes a fine sprawling save!
    • 86' GOAL!! STOKE 3-1 BLACKBURN!! It may be nothing more than a consolation, but Rochina scores easily the best goal of the game as he lashes a left-footed strike right into the near top corner! Sorensen had no chance with that one.
    • 84' Great run from Hoilett into the box and Shawcross brigns him down! Blackburn want a penalty but the referee says the defender got a touch on the ball.
    • 78' Walters plays an aerial one-two with Crouch and fires his strike across the face of goal! Decent effort from the Ireland striker there.
    • 72' GOAL!! STOKE 3-0 BLACKBURN!! Classic route one, Blackburn don't deal with it and Crouch slides his left-footed finish underneath Robinson! Game over.
    • 58' GOAL!! STOKE 2-0 BLACKBURN!! Etherington motors down the left and cuts the ball back from the byline. Walters lays it off for Whelan and the strike takes a wicked deflection that sends the ball over Robinson!
    • 47' The corner goes over everyone and Rochina picks it up. He skips his way through two defenders and into the box. He's shepherded to the byline but gets a backheel into the six-yard box... A swing and a miss from Formica! A great chance goes begging for Blackburn!
    • 45+2' The long ball is headed away to the edge of the box and Ruben Rochina has one shot blocked and a second run through to Sorensen, who is right behind it.
    • 41' Pedersen sends a corner to the far post and Dann sends a looping header back over Sorensen... Whelan heads it off the line! Hoilett goes for the half-volley but slashes his effort off target!
    • 28' GOAL!! STOKE 1-0 BLACKBURN!! Pennant bends in a cracking delivery and Rory Delap gets in front of Gael Givet to head past Robinson!
    • 12:15 Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington, Walters, Crouch. Subs: Begovic, Higginbotham, Jones, Fuller, Whitehead, Upson, Jerome /// Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Hanley, Dann, Givet, Rochina, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Hoilett, Formica, Yakubu. Subs: Bunn, Petrovic, Blackman, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Roberts, Henley.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.4 7
      Defenders
      5.7 6
      7 6
      7 7
      6.1 6
      Midfielders
      Goal 6.6 7
      Goal 7 7
      Substitution Out71′ 6.4 8
      6.6 7
      Strikers
      7.7 6
      Goal Substitution Out83′ 7.2 7
      Subs
      Substitution In71′ 8.4 6
      Substitution In83′ 7.7 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.8 6
      Defenders
      3.8 5
      3.4 5
      4.7 6
      4.9 6
      Midfielders
      4.7 4
      5.1 6
      Goal 5.9 6
      Substitution Out68′ 4.5 5
      7.3 6
      Strikers
      5.5 6
      Subs
      Substitution In68′ 4.4 6

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