Stoke City 3 Blackburn 0: Matthew Etherington has a Wizard day out

06 February 2010 22:48
Ask Fabio Capello which player made him fall in love with English football and he won't hesitate: 'Sir Stanley Matthews', he'll tell you with a wide smile.   [LNB]At the end of a week that left us struggling to remember anything positive about the personality of that most self-centred of creatures, the modern-day England footballer, fans stood as one in the Britannia Stadium sunshine to applaud the memory of the game's greatest legend. [LNB]Yesterday was Sir Stanley Matthews Day and Stoke came up with a performance to salute the city's hero in style. 'Are you watching, Fabio?' was the cry after Matthew Etherington came up with a moment of dazzling magic to cap the occasion. [LNB][LNB] Safe bet: Matthew Etherington makes the points secure[LNB]He jinked through four dozy defenders after 67 minutes, used a simple return pass from Liam Lawrence to lose them all, and popped his finish past Paul Robinson like some glorious afterthought.   [LNB]As the crowd went crazy and the sunlight turned to rosy twilight, you could just imagine Sir Stan looking down with a smile. [LNB]'Yes,' agreed Stoke manager Tony Pulis with a grin. 'They tell me Sir Stanley didn't score many goals but he provided hundreds.' [LNB]The 28-year-old Etherington made his own yesterday, a handy piece of do-it-yourself if ever there was one. And suddenly Stoke had a new Wizard of the Dribble, whose tribute goal seemed supremely respectful in its quality. [LNB]Stoke boss Pulis doesn't indulge in romantic comparisons very often, but even he saw the parallel in Etherington's trickery. 'For a winger to score a goal of that quality on a day like today...'          [LNB]Etherington remains an outsider for World Cup duty, but he is certainly knocking on the door. 'If Matty was at a more fashionable club he would be getting more attention,' suggested Pulis. 'If people are talking about him playing for England, it is brilliant for us.'[LNB] Opening gambit: Mamady Sidibe fires Stoke ahead[LNB] The original Wizard of the Dribble was football's first global superstar and played his last game for Stoke at the age of 50 in 1965. There were no 50-year-olds on the field yesterday, though some Blackburn players performed as though they were. [LNB]In the stands there were men old enough to have seen the newsreels of Stan on the wing when they were still fresh. [LNB]Blackburn defender Chris Samba was free to join the general reminiscing in the 58th minute, having earned a second yellow card for pulling back Ricardo Fuller. 'Samba's sending off was harsh,' complained Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce. [LNB]Even the Wizard would have been pleased to conjure a volley as crisp as Danny Higginbotham's eighth-minute, sweet left-footer. The hard-working defender almost added his second on the hour, denied only by Martin Olsson's goal-line clearance. [LNB]Blackburn should have been back in the game in the 20th minute but Franco Di Santo headed hopelessly high from close range. And Sam Allardyce slumped in his seat when he saw Andy Wilkinson clear Samba's towering header.[LNB] Off to a flyer: Stoke's Higginbottom (left) celebrates scoring with Etherington[LNB] 'It was an arm that pushed the ball past the post, a key moment in the game and the ref didn't see it,' complained Allardyce.   [LNB]Stoke struck again just before half-time. The masterful Etherington's penetrating pass was too much for the Rovers defence and Mamady Sidibe ghosted to the far post to supply the killer touch.[LNB] Ryan Shawcross and Fuller were both denied before Etherington's glorious third. Matthew and Matthews. A nice double to link past and present.[LNB] Stoke did the Wizard proud yesterday. And Etherington provided the moments of magical artistry. That would have pleased old Stan no end. [LNB]Police are investigating after a Blackburn fan was found unconscious at the start of the second half. The man, in his 20s, had to be resuscitated before being taken to hospital. A police spokesman said a 25-year-old man from Preston had been arrested. Morten Gamst Pedersen keeps Blackburn waiting over three-year dealTHE FIRING LINE: Avram is tops of the league... of managers on their way outSTOKE CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail