Practice pays off for Huth as defender makes amends for disallowed goal

22 February 2010 08:33
Robert Huth made amends for Stoke's disallowed midweek effort against Manchester City by scoring the equaliser at Portsmouth on Saturday. [LNB]The German defender admitted that he had been practicing hard to get on the scoresheet since his Manchester City disappointment, and it took just four days for his efforts to pay off.[LNB]As a result of his timely intervention Tony Pulis' side went on to win 2-1, extending their unbeaten run to seven games. [LNB] Amends: Robert Huth (second right) leaps to power Stoke back on level terms against Portsmouth at Fratton Park[LNB]'I was pleased to score the equalizer,' said Huth. 'We've worked on that  type of corner pretty often and had a bit of bad luck when we had a "winner" disallowed against Manchester City last week. [LNB]'So I was pleased it worked out  this time.' [LNB]His goal came in the 50th minute and, although Stoke were reduced to ten men with a quarter of an hour to go, they won the game in injury time. [LNB]Huth added: 'We would have taken a point with 10 men, but 2-1 is a great result for us.We  didn't create many chances in the first half and fell behind, but we stuck at it.' [LNB]Huth argued that Andy Wilkinson should not have received a second yellow card during his tussle with Aruna Dindane. [LNB]'It was a very harsh decision. When the ref (Mike Dean) blew, I thought he was going to give a foul to us. I didn't think it was a bad foul by Andy. [LNB]'The ref seemed to get excited  by the crowd  and gave him a second yellow, which shocked everyone.' [LNB] Come quietly: Salif Diao (left) celebrates his surprise winner against Portsmouth - his first goal for Stoke[LNB]The Stoke centre-back praised Ricardo Fuller for setting up substitute Salif Diao's last-gasp winner. [LNB]He added: 'Ric's been doing that for the last 10 weeks  or so. He's been working very hard. He had to work hard again after Andy was  sent off.[LNB]'Salif was meant to give us a little protection when he came on. Instead he  went and scored the winner. I don't know what he was doing in their six yard box. [LNB]'I'm surprised he didn't get dizzy when he got within sight of goal as he has never scored for us.[LNB]'I didn't even see him go forward, but it was a great run. He was brought on to help us look after their five strikers. [LNB]'He wasn't supposed to go forward, but I am sure the gaffer will let him  off this time.' [LNB]Huth has no sympathy for Portsmouth, pointing out: 'We had bad luck in midweek when the ref disallowed a goal against Manchester City. [LNB]'You win some and you  lose some in football. We've been playing well. We're a really close squad and  we stick together.'[LNB] Portsmouth 1 Stoke 2: Salif Diao delivers another blow to PompeyArismendi 'forces neighbour out' of luxury flat with series of partiesRory Delap fears an official conspiracy against Stoke CityStoke star Whelan thankful for small tackle after 'lucky' Vieira ding-dongStoke winger Etherington could make speedy return after knee injurySTOKE CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail