Source: Daily_Mail
Burnley 1 Stoke 1: Stalemate does little to ease Laws' relegation fears
[LNB] Burnley became the latest team to try, and fail, to thwart Rory Delap's long-range missiles but recovered to earn a point in their battle for survival. [LNB]Although moving the advertising boards closer to the pitch so Stoke's human sling was restricted to a shorter run-up might have seemed like a good idea at the time, it made little difference. [LNB]Delap either made his approach through the gaps between the barriers or, in the case of Stoke's opening goal, simply ran at an angle along the touchline to deliver his trademark throws. [LNB] On target: Tuncay gave Stoke the lead at Turf Moor [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB]It worked like a dream after 23 minutes. Delap delivered, MamadySidibe flicked on and Tuncay got in front of Danny Fox to power in aheader that Brian Jensen could only help on its way into the back ofthe net. [LNB]Stunning in its simplicity and all the more embarrassing for Burnleyconsidering the lengths to which they had gone to rein him in.[LNB] Throwing the game: Delap set up team-mate Tuncay for the game's opener [LNB] Not surprisingly, it was the 10th goal Delap's party trick has created for Stoke this season. [LNB]'We noticed it as soon as we came out on to the pitch,' said Stokemanager Tony Pulis. 'It's their football club and they do what theyhave to do. But Rory has got the technique down a treat for us.' [LNB]The Eagle hasn't landed: Burnley's midfielder hit the side-netting [LNB][LNB]In the end, Burnley were grateful to David Nugent's second-halfheader for a point. Manager Brian Laws reacted with mock innocence whenasked about the ploy to thwart Delap. [LNB]'What boards?,' he said. 'They are there for the advertisers. 'Wearen't the first team to concede from it and we won't be the last. Wegot a bit excited and four of our players went for one ball. It's thesecond phase Stoke always get the goal from.' [LNB]A draw could still not lift Laws's side out of the relegation zone.They have won only once in their last 18 League games and Saturday'svisit of fellow strugglers Wolves has taken on almost must-winproportions. [LNB]Nugent struck in the 52nd minute, rising to meet Martin Paterson'scross from the right and power a header past Thomas Sorensen for hissixth goal of the season. [LNB] Drawing level: Nugent equalised for Burnley in the 52nd minute [LNB][LNB]There were other chances to beat the Dane, but the fact that themain talking point was a throw-in sums up how bad this encounter was. [LNB]MATCH STATSBURNLEY (4-4-2): Jensen 6; Mears 7, Carlisle 6, Cort 6, Fox 6 (Jordan 80min); Paterson 8, Alexander 6, Cork 5 (McDonald 46, 6), Eagles 6; Thompson 6 (Elliott 70, 6), Nugent 7.Booked: Carlisle, McDonald.[LNB]STOKE CITY (4-4-2): Sorensen 6; Wilkinson 6, Abdoulaye Faye 7, Huth 6, Collins 6; Lawrence 5 (Pugh 63, 6), Delap 7, Whitehead 6, Etherington 5; Tuncay 7 (Moult 85), Sidibe 7 (Kitson 63, 6).[LNB]Man of the match: Martin Paterson.[LNB]Referee: Howard Webb.[LNB][LNB]Chris Eagles's opening effort was skewed so badly off target that it went out for a throw-in on the other side of the pitch. [LNB]Eagles scooped another clear chance over from 15 yards late on,although it was his fine crossfield pass that had picked out Patersonat the far post 12 minutes before half-time. [LNB]The former Stoke striker tried to take it first-time and slid hiseffort wide. Andy Wilkinson also had to hack the ball to safety underpressure from Nugent and Eagles after Sorensen could not hold on toPaterson's viciously swerving cross-shot in the second half, leavingPulis happy with a point.[LNB] The Stoke boss sent on youngster Louis Moult for his debut late onbut denied he had rested some of his key players. 'We're down to thebare bones,' he said. 'We've got six or seven players out. We're stillwearing nappies in respect of the Premier League and we wouldn't goanywhere and take teams lightly.' [LNB] Graham Poll - The Official Line: Why Stoke City are just not a dirty teamTHE 2009/10 managerial merry-go-round: Axed Hereford boss John Trewick becomes 32nd exit of the seasonBURNLEY FC
