A Billionaire's Playground: Stoke City || Stoke bring in firepower with signing of Huntelaar - Page 18

Great results as of late, what the hell happened at Fulham though?

KIU Modiga.

Looking good, KIU!

Great story Mod, just read straight thru from the start, any chance of a screenie of the formation your using??

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20/10/11

Stoke show lack of strength in France

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   FC Sochaux-Montbe 2-0 Stoke             
[Europa League Group B]


     Maiga 1', Privat 20'    |     
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                     Sochaux         Stoke
     Shots              11            19
     On Target           5             7
     Possession         49%           51%
     Yellow Cards        2             3


Stoke's form in the league has been good since the loss to Fulham but their Europa League run took a hit tonight with the away game against FC Sochaux-Montbe. Redknapp made a few changes to the side that beat Wolves at the weekend with Upson, Whelan, Pennant, Etherington and Jones coming into the starting lineup. FC Sochaux-Montbe hadn't picked up a point in the Europa League before the game but it was never going to be easy for Stoke.

The game started in the worst possible way for Stoke with the home side scoring after just twenty-one seconds when Modibo Maiga was played left of centre into the Stoke box and he did well to set himself before placing a shot into the back of the net. It wasn't the best start for Redknapp's men but they responded well with some controlled pressure.

Just when it looked like Stoke were hunting for an equaliser, FC Sochaux-Montbe got a second goal through a bad mixup between Cudicini and the defence leading to Privat picking up Mikari's cross and placing an easy shot into the goal. The rest of the half was an even half but neither team could score the next goal.

Stoke really needed to score early in the second half but couldn't find that goal and even the introduction of Hamsik, Farfan and Tevez couldn't bring a spark into Stoke's play. The game ended in defeat and the fans will hope this result does not affect the team's league form.

Sochaux (4-4-2): P. Cros; S. Corchia, S. Mouyokolo (L. Poujol 74'), J. Brechet (c), D. Sauget; R. Boudebouz, S. Roudet (M. Peybernes 62'), K. Anin, Y. Mikari (A. Camara 74'); S. Privat, M. Maiga

Stoke (4-4-2): C. Cudicini; R. Huth, R. Shawcross (c), M. Upson, L. Baines; G. Whelan (M. Hamsik 61'), W. Palacios, J. Pennant, M. Etherington (J. Farfan 61'); J. Walters (C. Tevez 61), K. Jones

                               Played   G.D    Points
          1st)   Stoke           3       +3       6
          2nd)   Gaziantepspor   3       -1       4
          3rd)   PSV             3       -1       4
          4th)   Sochaux-Montbe  3       -1       3


Next game: v Tottenham (home) [Premier League]

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23/10/11

Stoke two goals down to win thrilling game

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   Stoke 4 - 3 Tottenham                 
[Premier League]


     Tevez 12' 71' 82', Assou-Ekotto OG 37'     |     Lennon 11', van der Vaart 14', Shawcross OG 20'
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                       Stoke       Tottenham
     Shots              17            12
     On Target           7             5
     Possession         54%           46%
     Yellow Cards        0             3


Neutrals will have really enjoyed this thrilling encounter between Stoke and Tottenham with Stoke pulling off a terrific comeback with the inspirational Carlos Tevez on form. The home side made two changes to the side that beat Wolves last week with Srna returning from his suspension and Neymar making his first start since his injury.

A mad three minute spell in the first half saw three goals go in with the opener a cracking goal from Aaron Lennon when the winger sent in a half volley after a corner was cleared and it curled into the top corner. Tevez got the equalising goal immediately when he ran down the left before cutting in to send in a well placed shot. Van der Vaart put Tottenham back in front with a long range shot which Cudicini should have done better with.

It went from bad to worse for Stoke when Shawcross got on the end of Bale's cross to head the goal past his own keeper but there was hope for Stoke when an own goal got themselves back in the game when Assou-Ekotto diverted a corner into his own net. The second half was a much tighter affair until Carlos Tevez put a strong mark on the game when he progressed down the left wing before firing a rocket of a shot at an angle.

It was all to play for but Stoke had all the momentum and Tevez completed his hattrick and Stoke's turnaround when Neymar sent in an inch perfect through ball which Tevez picked up and made no mistake in placing past Gomes. The turnaround was complete and Stoke held on for what is an excellent result.

Stoke (4-4-2): C. Cudicini; D. Srna, R. Shawcross (c), J. Woodgate (M. Upson 44'), L. Baines; M. Hamsik, W. Palacios, J. Farfan, M. Rodriguez (J. Walters 72'); Neymar, C. Tevez

Tottenham (4-4-1-1): Gomes; V. Corluka, W. Gallas, Y. Kaboul (K. Walker 78'), B. Assou-Ekotto; A. Lennon, S. Parker, L. Modric (c), G. Bale (S. Pienaar 82'); R. van der Vaart (T. Huddlestone 72'); E. Adebayor

                               Played   G.D    Points
          1st)   Arsenal         9      +19      23
          2nd)   Stoke           9      +13      22
          3rd)   Man City        9      +15      21
          4th)   Man Utd         9      +17      19
              ------------------
          5th)   Chelsea         9      +13      18


Top Scorers [Overall (league)]: Tevez [13(11)], Hamsik [8(7)], Shawcross [7(5)], Walters [5(1)], Jones [5(1)]


Next game: v Chelsea (away)  [League Cup 4th Round]

Had a read of this through there. Great stuff, well done! You reckon there'll be any more interactive stuff soon?

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26/10/11

Stoke turn victory to defeat in Cup loss

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   Chelsea 3 - 2 Stoke                 
[League Cup 4th Round]


     Baines OG 83', Anelka 117' 120'     |     Tevez 7', Walters 99'
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                      Chelsea        Stoke
     Shots              25            18
     On Target           8             5
     Possession         52%           48%
     Yellow Cards        3             3


A game full of twists saw a Chelsea side, with mixed experience, take on Stoke's first team. The away side picked the same side which beat Tottenham at the weekend, although an early change was enforced with Farfan pulling a hamstring in the opening minutes resulting in Pennant being introduced early.

Carlos Tevez continued his excellent season form by kicking of the game with a superb goal following his run through the Chelsea team before smashing in a thirty-yard screamer into the top corner. The game was an excellent viewing for the watchers with chance after chance being created by both sides but it seemed that Stoke would hold onto the narrow win.

Chelsea got a bit of luck in the late equaliser when a scramble from a corner ended with Baines diverting the ball into his own net. That goal sent the game into extra time with all to play for and while it seemed Chelsea might take the game, Stoke retook the lead with Palacios' excellent through ball picked up by substitute Jonathan Walters and the striker placed the ball into the net.

Stoke should have won the game but Anelka put the game in his own hands by first equalising after he picked up Sturridge's pass and smashed the ball into the net and then he had the final say with the last kick of the game when he picked up another Sturridge pass and placed the ball into the back of the net. Stoke will be disappointed to lose a competition they could have won this year.

Chelsea (4-3-3): P. Cech; J. Bosingwa, N. Chalobah, B. Ivanovic, R. Bertrand; J. Mikel, R. Meireles (D. Pappoe 84'), Ramires (c); N. Anelka, J. Mata (D. Sturridge 54'), R. Lukaku (M. Lalkovic 84')

Stoke (4-4-2): C. Cudicini; D. Srna, R. Shawcross (c), R. Huth, L. Baines; M. Hamsik, W. Palacios, J. Farfan (J. Pennant 3'), M. Rodriguez; Neymar (J. Walters 70'), C. Tevez

Top Scorers [Overall (league)]: Tevez [14(11)], Hamsik [8(7)], Shawcross [7(5)], Walters [6(1)], Jones [5(1)]


Next game: v Man City (away)  [Premier League]

This was ... unfortunate ... especially to Leighton Baines, who has been really good for us until that unfortunate error.

Oh well, there's still the Europa League, FA Cup and Premier League to go for.