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  • Tuncay (37), Shawcross (74)
  • Boyce (15), Figueroa (72)
  • Date:2009-12-12
  • Kick-off:12:45
  • Venue:Britannia Stadium
  • Attendance:26728
  • Referee:Dean, M

Live Commentary

90mins

STOKE CITY 2 - 2 WIGAN: The game is brought to an end as an entertaining encounter ends all square.

90mins

Corner for the away side is taken poorly by N'Zogbia and it fails to beat the first Stoke defender at the near post.

90mins

There will be five minutes of extra time at the end of this game - can either side grab a winner?

90mins

Hugo Rodallega fails to win the game for his side as Sorenson saves his weak penalty.

89mins

Wigan are awarded a penalty as Gomez is tripped inside the area.

88mins

Etherington gets the ball again inside the penalty area, but chooses to take one touch too many and isn't able to get his shot away.

87mins

Roberto Martinez's men haven't been involved in a draw yet this season and as things stand, that is what they are getting today.

85mins

Etherington gets in a low cross from the left hand side only for Kirkland to collect under pressure from Beattie. Good hands from the Wigan keeper.

83mins

Beattie does now come on, replacing Fuller for Stoke. Can he win the game for his side?

82mins

The home side push forward again, but nothing comes of the attack as Fuller's shot goes comfortably over the bar.

81mins

Etherington plays a lovely ball over the top towards Fuller who eventually loses out under pressure from Bramble.

80mins

As we move into the last ten minutes, both teams will still fancy their chances of winning the game.

79mins

James Beattie is still sitting on the Stoke City bench - you just wonder whether he will come on and make an impact after the week he has had.

78mins

Koumas is replaced by Jason Scotland in a change for Wigan.

77mins

Whitehead flicks the ball over the top of the Wigan defence into the path of Tuncay, but Bramble does well to nod the ball back to the arms of Kirkland.

76mins

Wilkinson is booked for unsporting behaviour.

75mins

An amazing few minutes at the Britannia Stadium and you get the feeling that there will be more goals to come.

74mins

STOKE CITY 2 - 2 WIGAN: The home side hit back straight away as SHAWCROSS heads in from six yards out.

72mins

STOKE CITY 1 - 2 WIGAN: The away side take the lead as FIGUEROA fires the ball into the Stoke net from inside his own half. Amazing goal.

71mins

A corner for Stoke finds the head of Tuncay who sees his effort go just wide. He almost got in the way of Fuller there who had a better sight of goal.

70mins

Fantastic ball from Etherington over the top of the Wigan defence falls to Whelan who fails to test Kirkland with his effort on goal.

69mins

Whitehead pass across the width of the pitch is met by groans from the home fans as it fails to go anywhere near a Stoke player.

68mins

A neat passing move from Wigan involving N'Zogbia fails to come to anything other than showing the away side's intention to keep the ball on the floor.

66mins

Ryan Shawcross launches the ball forward towards Fuller, but the assistant referee flags for offside and the move breaks down.

65mins

Stoke are unbeaten in their last three games with Wigan, but being the home side they will want more than a draw today.

64mins

The resulting free-kick is curled towards goal by Tuncay, but his effort goes just over the bar.

63mins

Scharner hacks down Etherington as the winger bursts forward and goes into the book for it.

62mins

That is Diao's last action of the game as he is replaced by Glenn Whelan.

62mins

Gomez tries to start a Wigan attack, but Diao manages to slide in and win the ball well.

60mins

Tuncay bravely wins the header to set Fuller away, but the striker goes down under the challenge of Bramble and fails to win a free-kick.

59mins

Fuller advances towards goal as Stoke push forward and he squares the ball towards Tuncay, only for it to slide just beyond his reach at the back post.

58mins

Wigan have lost five of their last six games away from home, so they will be desperate to get at least a point today.

57mins

Salif Diao is booked for a number of challenges during this game.

57mins

Wigan push forward on the break through Koumas who finds N'Zogbia, only for the winger to be out-muscled by Huth as the move comes to a close.

55mins

Corner for Wigan is taken by Koumas towards the head of Scharner who watches on as his header goes just past the post. Very close.

54mins

Sinclair gets a chance to make an impact as he tries a shot from 25 yards, but it is a very weak effort and easily saved by Sorenson.

53mins

The ball falls to N'Zogbia on the edge of the area, but his first time effort goes comfortably over the bar. It wasn't clear whether that was a cross or a shot.

51mins

The second half hasn't got going at all yet. Both teams have yet to settle since the break.

50mins

Etherington knocks the ball into the penalty area onto the head of Huth who heads just wide of the goal.

49mins

Free-kick for Stoke is blasted towards goal from Huth from distance and is deflected wide for a corner to the home side.

48mins

N'Zogbia threads the ball through to Koumas in space, but the creative midfielder wastes his cross which goes behind for a Stoke goal kick.

47mins

Boyce is replaced by Scott Sinclair for Wigan as they make their first change.

46mins

The managers would have had a lot to say at the break as both sides can go on and win this game.

45mins

The second half is underway with the game in the balance - who wants to win this game more?

45mins

HALF-TIME: STOKE CITY 1 - 1 WIGAN - It is all square at the break as the referee blows for half time.

45mins

Tuncay and Fuller exchange passes before the latter shoots comfortably wide having failed to connect properly with his shot.

45mins

Maynor Figueroa collects the ball off N'Zogbia as Wigan push forward, but his eventual cross is too close to Sorenson who collects with ease.

45mins

Tuncay is booked for handling the ball as the fourth official announced 4 minutes of added time.

44mins

Kirkland manages to collect yet another Delap throw to ease the pressure somewhat on his defence.

43mins

Corner for the home side is cleared away comfortably by Mohamed Diame at the near post. Stoke are finishing the half strongly though.

42mins

From the resulting free-kick, N'Zogbia blasts an effort from 35 yards just wide of the target. Decent effort.

41mins

Gomez goes down very easily once again. The Stoke fans haven't taken to him too well it has to be said.

40mins

Tuncay nearly gets himself on the score sheet again as his bicycle kick from Delap's throw is blocked by Boyce.

39mins

That goal was from nowhere really and sums up Wigan this season. They have conceded twice as many goals as their opponents today.

37mins

STOKE CITY 1 - 1 WIGAN - The home side get themselves back on level terms as TUNCAY beats his man before slotting the ball in from a tight angle.

37mins

Titus Bramble just about gets ahead of Fuller as the Stoke striker looks to get on the end of a dangerous Etherington cross.

36mins

Wigan are passing the ball around very well when they get the chance. Two very contrasting styles for these teams.

34mins

Corner for Wigan is knocked into the box towards the back post only for Ryan Shawcross to pull the shirt of Scharner to prevent any header at goal. The Wigan fans want a penalty.

33mins

Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye is shown a yellow-card for a challenge on Koumas.

33mins

Wigan push forward on the counter-attack through N'Zogbia who shows an excellent turn of pace before firing a shot against the side netting on the Stoke goal.

32mins

The Stoke fans are getting behind their team now. They have had a good spell of possession and can sense themselves getting back into the game.

31mins

Huth collects the ball off Delap and fires the ball into the box and Boyce almost directs it into his own net with an attempted clearance.

29mins

N'Zogbia curls an excellent cross into the danger area of the Stoke penalty box and Sorenson has to be brave to get to the ball before everybody else.

27mins

Fuller gets on the end of another Delap throw, but he can't quite direct his header towards goal.

26mins

Whitehead knocks the ball over the top of the Wigan defence, only for Kirkland to get their first and collect under pressure from Fuller.

25mins

Delap gets a chance to throw the ball into the Wigan penalty area, but not for the first time Scharner is there to deal with it superbly.

23mins

Boyce is back on the field bandaged up and ready to help his side try and build on their lead.

22mins

Stoke will need to do something they have only done three times so far this season if they are to win this game - score two goals.

21mins

Stoke manage to deal with the free-kick this time as Robert Huth heads the ball away.

20mins

The Stoke fans aren't happy. Wilkinson slides in to win the ball off Gomez, but the referee awards a free-kick to Wigan in a dangerous position.

19mins

Etherington bursts down the left hand side and tries to find Ricardo Fuller with his cross, but it goes just over the head of the Stoke striker.

18mins

Boyce is off the pitch at the moment recieving treatment for his injuries. It remains to be seen whether he will continue.

17mins

There has been a stoppage in play since the goal as Boyce and Sorenson collided after the ball went into the net.

15mins

STOKE CITY 0 - 1 WIGAN: The away side take the lead as EMMERSON BOYCE follows in from his initial header to bundle the ball into the net.

15mins

The game has been stopped on a number of occasions so far today. Lots of free-kicks that have prevented the teams settling into their stride.

14mins

From the resulting free-kick Hugo Rodallega strikes the ball low and straight into the arms of Sorensen. At least he hit the target.

13mins

Gomez goes down too easily for the Stoke fans liking after a challenge from Andy Wilkinson to win a free-kick for his side.

12mins

Stoke would love a few goals today to boost their confidence in front of goal. They have only scored 13 in the Premier League this season.

10mins

Delap causes problems with his throw in for the first time as Tuncay gets himself in the way of Kirkland, who does eventually collect the ball on the second bounce.

9mins

In contrast to Wigan's away form, Stoke's home form is very impressive indeed. They have only lost six league games at the Britannia Stadium since returning to the top flight.

8mins

Garcia Jordi Gomez tries his luck with a free-kick from 35 yards, but he fails to beat the Stoke wall and the move comes to nothing.

6mins

Matthew Etherington manages to find some space on the left wing, but he is unable to get a cross in as Mario Melchiot defends well to clear the danger.

5mins

Dean Whitehead collects the ball outside the Wigan penalty area and takes the ball down well before firing a shot just wide of the post.

4mins

Sanli Tuncay has a chance to get the ball into a box from a free-kick, only to attempt an ambitious shot and fail to beat the Wigan wall.

3mins

Charles N'Zogbia finds some space in the Stoke half and manages to get a shot away, but it is a weak effort and Thomas Sorensen saves with ease.

3mins

Delap gets another chance to test the Wigan defence with his bullet throw, this time though it is Chris Kirkland who gets their first and holds onto the ball.

2mins

Rory Delap gets his first chance to launch a long throw into the Wigan penalty area, but Paul Scharner manages to head it away.

1mins

Wigan will want to improve on thier recent away form. They have conceded 13 goals in their last two games on the road.

0mins

They are underway at the Britannia Stadium as 11th placed Stoke take on 14th place Wigan in today's early kick-off.

Match Preview

Stoke City entertain Wigan Athletic in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at the Britannia Stadium with the Potteries club making the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently.

After their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal last weekend, manager Tony Pulis was reportedly involved in a heated row with striker James Beattie in the dressing room after the players were told they would have to report back in for training earlier than agreed.

Beattie and Pulis will be hoping to put their differences to one side as they look to get back to winning ways, but the one-time England striker's future at the club could coming to at an end after this unsavoury episode.

Stoke sit in tenth place and their latest setback has saw them pick just four points up from a possible 15 and with away games against Aston Villa and Manchester City to come then a home clash against the vastly improved Birmingham City ahead of the new year, Pulis' men really could do with grabbing all three points to maintain their top-half berth.

Ricardo Fuller and Sanli Tuncay are expected to go head-to-head as they fight it out for a starting position, while Pulis has injury concerns over influential defender Ryan Shawcross (hamstring) and Amdy Faye (back).

Roberto Martinez's visitors Jekyll and Hyde season continues to gather an unwanted momentum.

Following their shocking 9-1 disaster away at Tottenham Hotspur, they turned the corner by beating Sunderland 1-0 at DW Stadium but the ensuing 3-2 home loss to Birmingham City has left the diminutive Spanish boss scratching his head as the Latics sit in 14th place and just four points ahead of the relegation zone.


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Match Report

Thomas Sorensen saved a penalty for the third time in four games to earn Stoke City a point in a thrilling finale against Wigan Athletic at the Britannia Stadium.

The Denmark international was earlier the villain of the peace when he allowed a 55-yard free-kick from Maynor Figueroa to sail over his head and into the net.

But he was certainly the hero a minute from time as he plunged to his right to keep out Hugo Rodallega's poorly directed spot-kick.

The penalty was awarded for Robert Huth's foul on Jordi Gomez and justice was done as the Spanish midfielder was well offside when he crumpled to the turf.

Stoke made a strong start and Dean Whitehead was inches away from his first goal for the club when he fired wide from Rory Delap's pass in the fourth minute.

But Wigan soon settled and Rodallega had already warmed Sorensen's fingers before the visitors took a 14th minute lead.

Sorensen produced a brilliant reflex save to keep out Rodallega's free header from a Jason Koumas free-kick, but the ball looped into the air and Emmerson Boyce followed up to nod home.

Boyce and Sorensen ended up needing lengthy treatment after they collided on the line before both were patched up and able to continue.

Stoke were struggling to build up any momentum without flu victim Liam Lawrence and with strikers James Beattie and Mamady Sidibe only fit enough to be on the bench.

But they got the tonic they desperately needed eight minutes before the break when Tuncay scored his eagerly awaited first goal for the club.

Sorensen's long punt was headed on by Ryan Shawcross and, with the Wigan defence attempting to play offside, Tuncay ran clear from deep.

The Turkey international looked likely to cross the ball from a tight angle, but he chose to crack a fierce low shot which sped just inside Chris Kirkland's near post.

Boyce failed to appear for the second half and his place was taken by Scott Sinclair, with Paul Scharner moved to join Titus Bramble at the heart of Wigan's defence.

But that didn't stop Scharner going close to scoring when his 55th minute header from a Koumas corner flew wide with Sorensen well beaten.

Stoke should have gone ahead two minutes later with Ricardo Fuller pulling his shot off target after escaping Bramble's attentions.

And Tuncay fired narrowly over from a free-kick after Scharner was booked for a late challenge on Matthew Etherington as City increased the tempo.

The pressure continued to build with substitute Glenn Whelan and man of the match Tuncay again going close before Wigan regained the lead in extraordinary fashion 18 minutes from time.

Figueroa scored a stunning free-kick from a yard inside his own half after noticing Sorensen had strayed too far off his line. It was a fantastic piece of quick thinking and execution by the Honduras international.

Stoke levelled again two minutes later when Shawcross headed in Etherington's corner from eight yards as Kirkland failed to battle his way through a crowd of bodies.

And Sorensen had the final say to secure a point that was certainly deserved on the balance of play.

Stoke City

Wigan Athletic

Corners

53

Fouls

2111

Goal attempts

1211

Shots off target

105

Offsides

31

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