Stoke City v Liverpool: full time report
Stoke City 2 Liverpool 0
Goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones earned Stoke City their first victory over Liverpool for 26 years.
A scrappy second-half strike from Fuller and a late goal from Jones proved more than enough for the Potters to beat a lacklustre Liverpool - bringing an abrupt end to the Reds' four-match unbeaten record in the Premier League.
Fuller broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the break by bundling the ball home following a dangerous Rory Delap throw-in, and Jones wrapped up the three points with a cool finish at the death.
Roy Hodgson's men were distinctly second best for the majority of the match and struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities, leaving further question marks over the Liverpool manager's future.
An uninspiring first-half saw a dearth of chances at the Britannia Stadium, but the home faithful still produced a raucous atmosphere throughout, buoyed by last Monday's dramatic 3-2 victory over Birmingham City.
The hosts looked the more likely to score in the opening 45 minutes and went close through Dean Whitehead and Kenwyne Jones around the 10-minute mark. The Potters were a constant threat whenever Delap launched one of his trademark long-throws into the Liverpool penalty area, which would inevitably cause chaos.
The Reds, on the other hand, looked bereft of ideas and lacked any drive or enthusiasm in the opening stages of the match, but were handed some inspiration from captain Steven Gerrard, who fired a 25-yard effort towards the Stoke goal on the half hour mark. However, Asmir Begovic was equal to the effort, and rarely tested afterwards.
Stoke ended the first-half on top and went close through Matthew Etherington, but the two sides went into the break with the deadlock still very much intact.
Tony Pulis would have been content with what he'd seen over the course of the first-half, and would have hoped for more of the same after the break.
When the first goal did come, there was little surprise with the method in which it arrived.
Delap catapulted a trademark throw-in deep into the Liverpool penalty area from the right, which the visitors failed to deal with. An almighty scramble ensued, but when the ball found it's way to Etherington on the edge of the six-yard box, his pass to Fuller was bundled in at the second attempt.
It was the Jamaica international's third goal of the season – not as stylish as his superb solo effort on Monday, but certainly celebrated just as much by the club's delighted supporters.
Hodgson's men needed to respond – and quickly – if they wanted to salvage something from this match. And they almost found the equaliser when Dirk Kuyt's cutback was met by Maxi Rodriguez 10-yards from goal. However, a stroke of good fortunate prevented the ball from finding its way through Begovic's legs.
Ryan Babel was sent on by the Liverpool manager to inspire some life into his lacklustre side. In recent matches Fernando Torres had looked to have rediscovered his best form, but he once again appeared a shadow of his former self at the Britannia Stadium, providing no threat whatsoever.
And in the closing stages of the match, a fine pass from Pennant found Jones, who brushed Martin Skrtel to one side and calmly slotted the ball past the despairing Reina.
Hodgson was left with a familiar sinking feeling, and Liverpool's woes increased moments later when Lucas was sent-off for a second bookable offence.
Stoke's joy unbridled, then - but for Hodgson, the end could well be nigh.
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