Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke 2 Bolton 0: Higginbotham and Etherington strikes soften Ba blow
Stoke's disgruntled Turkey striker Tuncay recently posted a 'My Top 10 Goals' list on social networking site Facebook. His intention was presumably to make a point to boss Tony Pulis in his quest for more regular starts. Tuncay was unable to add to his list here, but he produced a performance that proved too much for Bolton and one that was timely in view of the collapse of a £7million deal for Senegalese star Demba Ba. Dan the man: Danny Higginbotham (right) puts Stoke aheadWhile Hoffenheim striker Ba wasfailing a medical Stoke may still try to arrange a loan Tuncaytormented Bolton by setting up both goals as his team took anotherstride towards securing a fourth season in the top flight.Danny Higginbotham claimed his firstgoal of the season, squeezing the ball over the line with some helpfrom stricken keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen after Tuncay speared in acorner in the 37th minute. High five: Higginbotham (centre) celebrates his opener with TuncayTuncay's ball on 63 minutes sent Matthew Etherington surging into the box, only to be felled by Zat Knight.Etherington cracked home the penaltyto clinch a win that hoists Stoke alongside Bolton on 30 points, 10points short of the target Pulis craves to ensure survival again.'It was a great result for us,' said Stoke's manager. Getting shirty: Bolton's Kevin Davies (right) holds off Matthew Etherington'I think a lot of teams will be looking over their shoulders this season.'I thought Tuncay, Etherington and Kenwyne Jones were a real threat. They gave Bolton a lot of trouble.'I was pleased with them all and it was nice to win because Owen Coyle has had it over us in the last couple of games.'That was a reference to the factBolton had beaten Stoke in previous last two meetings each time withlate goals. But Coyle's team never got to grips with opponents sofierce that Pulis abandoned a midweek training session after it got toocompetitive.Coyle, whose team lost a fifthsuccessive away match, said: 'We never really got going in the firsthalf and I must say it was a poor penalty to give away. I've told Zathe really should have stayed on his feet.'Pulis said of the collapsed deal forBa: 'It's a big disappointment because he has a tremendous scoringrecord. I'm not sure what the problem is.' All the latest Stoke news, features and opinionReal deal: Adebayor primed for switch as Mourinho lines up loan swoopRevenge missions: Why Sunderland can bounce back from derby drubbingAll the latest Bolton news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Matthew Etherington, Tony Pulis, Danny Higginbotham, Owen Coyle, Zat Knight Places: Turkey