Stoke 2 Bolton 0: Higginbotham and Etherington strikes soften Ba blow

16 January 2011 11:40
Stoke's disgruntled Turkey striker Tuncay recently posted a 'My Top 10 Goals' list on social networking site Facebook. [LNB]His intention was presumably to make a point to boss Tony Pulis in his quest for more regular starts. Tuncay was unable to add to his list here, but he produced a performance that proved too much for Bolton and one that was timely in view of the collapse of a £7million deal for Senegalese star Demba Ba.[LNB] Dan the man: Danny Higginbotham (right) puts Stoke ahead[LNB]While Hoffenheim striker Ba wasfailing a medical Stoke may still try to arrange a loan Tuncaytormented Bolton by setting up both goals as his team took anotherstride towards securing a fourth season in the top flight.[LNB]Danny Higginbotham claimed his firstgoal of the season, squeezing the ball over the line with some helpfrom stricken keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen after Tuncay speared in acorner in the 37th minute.[LNB] High five: Higginbotham (centre) celebrates his opener with Tuncay[LNB]Tuncay's ball on 63 minutes sent Matthew Etherington surging into the box, only to be felled by Zat Knight.[LNB]Etherington cracked home the penaltyto clinch a win that hoists Stoke alongside Bolton on 30 points, 10points short of the target Pulis craves to ensure survival again.[LNB]'It was a great result for us,' said Stoke's manager.[LNB] Getting shirty: Bolton's Kevin Davies (right) holds off Matthew Etherington[LNB]'I think a lot of teams will be looking over their shoulders this season.[LNB]'I thought Tuncay, Etherington and Kenwyne Jones were a real threat. They gave Bolton a lot of trouble.[LNB]'I was pleased with them all and it was nice to win because Owen Coyle has had it over us in the last couple of games.'[LNB]That was a reference to the factBolton had beaten Stoke in previous last two meetings each time withlate goals. But Coyle's team never got to grips with opponents sofierce that Pulis abandoned a midweek training session after it got toocompetitive.[LNB]Coyle, whose team lost a fifthsuccessive away match, said: 'We never really got going in the firsthalf and I must say it was a poor penalty to give away. I've told Zathe really should have stayed on his feet.'[LNB]Pulis said of the collapsed deal forBa: 'It's a big disappointment because he has a tremendous scoringrecord. I'm not sure what the problem is.'[LNB] All the latest Stoke news, features and opinionReal deal: Adebayor primed for switch as Mourinho lines up loan swoopRevenge missions: Why Sunderland can bounce back from derby drubbingAll the latest Bolton news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Matthew Etherington, Tony Pulis, Danny Higginbotham, Owen Coyle, Zat Knight Places: Turkey

Source: Daily_Mail