Ryan Shawcross and Tuncay struck in extra-time as Stoke earned a
3-1 win over Manchester City in their FA Cup fifth-round replay on
Wednesday.
Craig Bellamy had ensured the clash at the Britannia Stadium
finished 1-1 after 90 minutes by immediately cancelling out Dave
Kitson's late strike.
But the Potters made a numerical advantage after Emmanuel
Adebayor's harsh sending off count by reclaiming the lead through
Shawcross from a Rory Delap throw and Tuncay finished the job.
Shawcross and Ricardo Fuller had both missed glorious chances
to settle the tie in stoppage time - but that was forgotten as the
Potters powered into the quarter-finals for the first time since
1972.
The only concern for Stoke, whose strong finish was in stark
contrast to their slow start, was the view the Football Association
might take of a missile being thrown at Shay Given. Stoke initially
appeared to be caught out by Manchester City's team selection.
Having played out two more 1-1 draws with Stoke in the
previous 12 days, City boss Roberto Mancini tried to surprise the
hosts by freshening up his side. Only five of the players that
started the league clash last week began this time, with Bellamy
among those to return.
It was the recently-injured Wales international's first start
since reports of a training ground bust-up with Mancini surfaced
last week. The changes initially seemed to work as Bellamy and
Adebayor linked up well and at pace.
Having previously struggled to handle Stoke's physical and
direct approach, City seemed determined to dictate matters.
Adebayor forced a good early save from Thomas Sorensen from
35 yards and Vincent Kompany headed wide from a corner. Adebayor
and Bellamy then combined well but a deflection took the sting out
of a Pablo Zabaleta pass and Gareth Barry scuffed a shot at
Sorensen.
City looked certain to score when Adebayor broke clear from
the halfway line and unselfishly played in Bellamy, but the
Welshman's touch was heavy and Sorensen cleared. Stoke's Mamady
Sidibe was the first to be booked, for dissent, and Fuller followed
after a late challenge on Given on the edge of the box.
But having troubled City with numerous Delap throw-ins
lately, Stoke finally got chance to utilise their most infamous
tactic just after the half-hour. Again it caused problems as Sidibe
flicked on dangerously across goal and another throw created a
shooting chance for Liam Lawrence which Joleon Lescott bravely
blocked.
Stoke started the second period at a higher intensity and put
the visiting defence under considerable pressure. Micah Richards
was booked for a late tackle on Lawrence and Zabaleta was also
cautioned soon after for catching Fuller. Steve Bennett briefly
halted play after a missile was thrown at Given, who had been booed
since his clash with Fuller.
When the game resumed Stoke again tried the aerial route into
the City box but Lescott and Richards both headed away dangerous
crosses. It was some time before City had another opportunity,
Bellamy having a volley deflected wide by Shawcross in the 65th
minute.
The game exploded into life 11 minutes from time as Kitson,
introduced five minutes earlier, played a one-two with fellow
substitute Tuncay and raced past Wayne Bridge to score. Stoke's
supporters cheered as if a last-eight clash with Chelsea was
settled but their joy was tempered as Bellamy immediately replied.
Adebayor selflessly chested down a cross from Bridge and
Bellamy rushed in to fire low past Sorensen. The game barely had
time to settle before Adebayor was sent off after being adjudged to
have raised his arms too high in trying to hold off Shawcross.
It seemed a tough decision, but Adebayor did not complain.
Bellamy protested on his behalf and was booked for dissent.
Shawcross almost won it in stoppage time but headed wide from a
Glenn Whelan corner and Fuller also fired narrowly off-target from
outside the box.
But Shawcross made amends five minutes into extra-time as
City again fell for a Delap throw.
Delap was not far inside the City half as he launched a huge
throw into the box and Shawcross timed his leap perfectly to head
past Given. This time Stoke made good on their advantage and
grabbed a third goal on the counter-attack four minutes later.
Whelan picked out Tuncay with a fine cross-field pass and the
former Middlesbrough forward showed great skill to beat two
defenders and fire past Lescott on the line. The damage was done
and Stoke played out time as the fans celebrated.
