Stoke City edge past West Ham United to qualify for semi-finals of FA Cup
Stoke City beat West Ham United 2-1 in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Defenders Robert Huth and Danny Higginbotham scored for the hosts, while Frederic Piquionne scored a highly controversial goal for the Hammers.
Stoke City made several changes to their starting line-up from the previous fixture against the Hammers. Jonathan Walters and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kenwyne-Jones-c20659 started upfront in a 4-4-2 formation for the hosts.
On the other hand, Avram Grant made only one change to his team from the recent fixture between the two sides as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Demba-Ba-c10812 upfront for the visitors.
The game took off at a lively pace, as the hosts almost took the lead in the second minute. Matthew Etherington’s header from a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jermaine-Pennant-c18364 cross was brilliantly saved by Robert Green to deny the Potters. The hosts continued their dominance and created
some decent openings.
The Potters finally managed to break the deadlock in the 12th minute. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robert-Huth-c31243 powered his bullet header past Green to make it 1-0.
The frantic pace of the game dropped after the goal as the Hammers enjoyed a long spell of possession.
The visitors equalised on the half hour mark. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Hitzlsperger-c34961 lofted the ball for Piquionne, who chipped the ball over Thomas Sorensen’s head to make it 1-1. The Stoke players protested that he used his arm to score and it was proved by the replays as
well. However, the goal stayed.
Minutes before the half time whistle, Piquionne had to be substituted with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-c18993 Spector after he picked up an injury.
The hosts were awarded a penalty 12 seconds into the second half, when Scott Parker pulled down http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-c35440 Pulis’ men looked charged up after
the penalty miss and did not let their heads down.
They took the lead just after the hour mark when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Higginbotham-c10207 smashed through the wall and rocketed into the net to make it 2-1.
Three minutes later, the visitors came extremely close of an equaliser when Hitzlsperger found Obinna, whose powerful shot was beautifully saved by Sorensen.
The Hammers made a number of attacks on the Stoke goal and came close with several efforts. Just before the full time whistle, Matthew Upson’s headed effort rattled against the cross bar from Hitzlsperger’s corner.
The hosts held onto their nerves to qualify for the semi-finals at the Wembley Stadium.
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