Source: Daily_Mail
Hajduk Split 0 Stoke 1 (agg 0-2): Potters keep their cool to reach Europa League play-offs
Jonathan Woodgate's return inspired a textbook European performance from Stoke as a last-minute own goal left manager Tony Pulis beaming.[LNB]Woodgate was at the heart of a disciplined display that quietened experienced opponents as Ljubo Milicevic headed the ball into his own net in the dying seconds, capping Stoke's successful re-introducion into European competition following a 37-year absence.[LNB] Late show: Ljubo Milicevic heads the ball into his own net under pressure from Stoke's Ryan Shotton[LNB] [LNB]Such have been the depth and seriousness of the centre half 's injury problems that this was only his fifth start in three years. And he did not even complete all of those matches, either.[LNB]Last night was the first time he had played since Spurs' groundbreaking Champions League victory at the San Siro against AC Milan in February. And while the battle is clearly not yet won, there were few cobwebs as Woodgate appeared unflustered throughout, rolling back the years with a flawless display.[LNB]'I thought that both him and Ryan Shawcross were outstanding,' said Pulis. 'I had pencilled Jonathan into this about one week ago because I thought we would need his experience.[LNB]'And we did need that experience. We are hoping that this is just the start. We hope Jonathan will get better and better. If he plays the games, he will. But he's certainly taken a real step forward tonight.'[LNB]But while Woodgate's display was clearly noteworthy, Pulis insisted that an all-round team effort was the key to their success. [LNB] Key man: Woodgate impressed as he lasted full 90 minutes[LNB]'I'm very proud of my players,' he said.'We keep breaking new ground. It's the first time that the club have played a European tie and gone through. This is another new bridge that we have crossed. We reached the Premier League a few years ago, got to the FA Cup final and now this. Three fantastic achievements in such a short space of time.'[LNB]It was a shame for substitute Ryan Shotton that he was not able to claim the glory.[LNB]The young forward, on as a substitute, would never have wanted for a drink again in the Potteries had he been able to claim the injury-time goal that finally decided this tie.[LNB]Matthew Etherington's free-kick was overhit and retrieved on the right by the industrious Dean Whitehead. The midfielder crossed in the direction of the only red and white striped shirt in the penalty area and it was Shotton's pressure that forced Milicevic to commit his blunder.[LNB] Up for it: Stoke City's Kenwyne Jones challenges Hajduk Split's Ljubo Milicevic[LNB]The ball looped into the net to hand thePotters a victory that was a triumph for good-old fashioned virtues like organisation and honesty.[LNB]The home fans created a wall of noise throughout and Pulis was right in his assessment that experience of these situations would count. [LNB]MATCH FACTS Hajduk Split (4-4-2): Subasic 6; Maloca 7, Andric 6, Milicevic 6, Lima 5; Tomasov 6 (Kukoc 86), Brkljaca 6, Trebotic 5 (Saric 69, 6), Sharbini Anas 5; Vukusic 5, Vukovic 5 (Sharbini Ahmad 56, 5). Subs not used: Kalinic, ljubicic, Kukoc, Oremus, Inoha.Booked: Milicevic, Andric, Saric.[LNB]Stoke City (4-4-2): Begovic 6; Huth 8,Shawcross 7, Woodgate 8, Wilson 6;Pennant 7 (Pugh 84), Whitehead 7,Whelan 7, Etherington 7; Jones 6(Diao 77), Walters 7 (Shotton 86).Subs not used: Sorensen, Collins, Tonge, Arismendi.Booked: Begovic, Whitehead, Pennant,Etherington.Man of the match: Jonathan Woodgate.Referee: Andrea de Marco (Italy) 6. [LNB]Woodgate, who counts Real Madrid as the pick of a cluster of big clubs he has played for, was unflappable as Stoke closed down every avenue available to the hosts.[LNB]The Potters were riled in the first half when an elbow on Jon Walters went unpunished, as did a trip on Kenwyne Jones as he raced clean through.[LNB]Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington both had their ankles stamped on too by some pretty rugged Hajduk defending that would have caused outrage had it been perpetrated by one of Pulis's men.[LNB]It speaks volumes that Asmir Begovic had only one save of note to make as Split enjoyed the overwhelming majority of possession.[LNB]Every time the tempo dropped, a firecracker would be let off in the stands and the constant steam of songs urged the hosts forward, piling pressure on referee Andrea de Marco, who booked three Stoke players for time-wasting.[LNB]'I hope everyone has a good night tonight,' said Pulis. 'This is a fantastic town. I just want everyone to go home happy.' [LNB] Mancini lines up ?2m move to make Sorensen Hart's deputy at Manchester CityStoke squad screen last season's heroics in attempt to boost morale ahead of Europa clash All the latest Stoke news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]
