Stoke beats relegation-threatened Wolves 3-0

Stoke beats relegation-threatened Wolves 3-0

Published Apr. 26, 2011 10:12 p.m. ET

Stoke beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 on Tuesday to move into the top half of the Premier League and increase the likelihood of relegation for its opponent.

Striker Kenwyne Jones opened the scoring in the 16th minute and captain Ryan Shawcross made it 2-0 moments before halftime.

Winger Jermaine Pennant added a third goal six minutes after the interval to wrap up a comfortable victory for Stoke, which last week reached the FA Cup final for the first time.

Stoke moved up to ninth place and 42 points, the tally traditionally targeted by managers to avoid relegation. Wolves are next to last and nine points further back with just four games to play.

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The only bad news for Stoke was that winger Matthew Etherington had to be carried off on a stretcher in the 28th because of a hamstring injury.

Jones headed in his 11th goal of the season following a cross from Pennant, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey getting a hand to the ball but unable to prevent it going into the net.

Hennessey saved a shot from Andy Wilkinson, Jones headed over the bar and Hennessey tipped over a header from Shawcross before the defender hit a deflected shot over the line from close range.

Jonathan Walters then set up the final goal, delivering the ball to Pennant in the middle, from where the winger scored with a deflected shot.

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