Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis on reaching FA Cup semi-final
Stoke manager Tony Pulis was pleased controversy did not overshadow the club booking their first FA Cup semi-final appearance for 39 years with a 2-1 win over West Ham at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB]The Potters' first-half dominance was reflected in centre-back Robert Huth's eighth goal of the season but Frederic Piquionne's clear handball was missed by referee Mike Jones as the striker went on to score.[LNB]When former Hammer Matt Etherington missed a penalty seconds after the interval it seemed it was not to be Stoke's day but Danny Higginbotham drilled a free-kick through the wall and goalkeeper Robert Green could only push it onto a post and into the net.[LNB] Forward thinking: Pulis (left) looks to lift his side whilst Hammers boss Grant watches on in dissaray[LNB]Pulis was grateful to be able to sweep aside any criticism of the match officials.[LNB]'We have been very unfortunate this year, we have copped quite a few (bad decisions) in the league.[LNB]'We were very good for 25 minutes and then when they get their first shot on goal from that it was disappointing.[LNB]'From where I was standing it looked a stone-banker handball.[LNB]'Matty came out in the second half and missed a penalty and that knocks you down again but great credit to the players - for a lesser team that would have affected them.[LNB]'For two and a half years at this club, since we were promoted, we have been written off.[LNB]'We have got to three quarter-finals of cup competitions now we have a semi-final.[LNB]'We've finished 12th and 11th in the Premier League and the players and chairman deserve a hell of a lot of credit.'[LNB] Head start: Robert Huth gives Stoke the lead after rising to meet Rory Delap's dangerous throw-in[LNB]Stoke, who are into the last four for only the fourth time in their history, now face Bolton at Wembley[LNB]'I think it is being disrespectful to Bolton to say it is the draw we wanted, we just wanted to win today.[LNB]'We will treat them with total respect. If you look at Bolton and their history, they have been a Premier League side a lot longer than us and have established Premier League players.[LNB]'We will respect them and we know it will be a tough game for us,' added Pulis.[LNB]West Ham boss Avram Grant was disappointed with some of the decisions his side encountered in the second half, claiming James Tomkins should have had a penalty late on instead of being penalised for a foul on Jon Walters.[LNB] Over the line: Stoke pair Jon Walters and Ryan Shawcross celebrate after West Ham keeper Rob Green fails to keep out Higginbotham's strike [LNB]He said he felt the referee tried to even things up after missing Piquionne's handball.[LNB]'I think maybe this is the reason the referee started the second half very strange.[LNB]'Until they scored [the second] goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything for them.[LNB]'It was a penalty for us at the end which he didn't give. What happened with Tomkins was more bushido (the Japanese code of conduct for samurai warriors).[LNB]'Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it was the effect of the first goal for us,' said the Hammers boss.[LNB] Winner: Higginbotham celebrates at the final whistle[LNB]Meanwhile, Stoke matchwinner Danny Higginbotham is relishing a trip to Wembley with the Potters set to face Bolton as a reward for their win against West Ham[LNB]Higginbotham blasted in a powerful second-half free-kick to settle the quarter-final tie which took the Potters into the last four of the FA Cup for the first time in 39 years.[LNB]He told ITV Sport: 'It's a great feeling to have got to Wembley, we're delighted and we're just going to enjoy today, with a tough semi-final against Bolton ahead.[LNB]'West Ham are a great team, they showed that last week against us (when they beat Stoke 3-0 in the Premier League) but we thoroughly deserved it - we got stuck in. We got the lead and the second time we got it we were able to stay ahead.[LNB]'We've got great belief within the squad. We've had a disappointing run of games recently but we know we've got the character in there to come out of it.[LNB]'It's a great club and it's come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years.'[LNB]Robert Huth gave Stoke the lead but the Hammers equalised through Frederic Piquionne, although referee Mike Jones missed a handball in the build-up.[LNB]Matthew Etherington then missed a penalty - controversially awarded by Jones for a foul by Scott Parker on Etherington - early in the second half, before Higginbotham blasted home the decisive goal.[LNB] Stoke 2 West Ham 1: Higginbotham strike books Bolton semi at WembleyFA CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW: United await potential City clash at WembleyWhy Stoke City v West Ham can claim to be the best cup tie ever[LNB] Explore more:People: Matthew Etherington, James Tomkins, Tony Pulis, Robert Green, Danny Higginbotham, Robert Huth
