2008–09 Stoke City F.C. season

Stoke began their long-awaited first match in the Premier League and first in the top-flight for 23 years away at Gary Megson's Bolton Wanderers. Manager Tony Pulis gave debuts to new signings Thomas Sørensen, Seyi Olofinjana and record £5 million man Dave Kitson. Stoke made a bright start and went close to opening the scoring through Leon Cort and Kitson. However, out of nowhere Bolton took the lead through Grétar Steinsson as his attempted cross curled in to the Stoke net. This knocked all the momentum out of Stoke and Bolton took full advantage and scored twice through Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander to put Wanderers 3–0 up at half-time. Stoke tried to get back into the game and did manage to score a consolation from Ricardo Fuller in the final few seconds of the match.[1]

Stoke's first home match in the Premier League came against Aston Villa in front of 27,500 at the Brit as Senegalese duo Abdoulaye Faye and Amdy Faye made their debuts. Both sides made a positive start and Stoke took the lead in the 30th minute when Liam Lawrence scored from the spot after Martin Laursen had brought down Rory Delap. Villa pulled level in second half through John Carew before Fuller put Stoke back in front with a quality goal, Gareth Barry's stray pass was intercepted by Delap who passed to Lawrence who fed in Fuller and the Jamaican 'swivelled' past Laursen and scored. The lead didn't last long as Stoke failed to deal with an Ashley Young free kick and Laursen made amends for his earlier errors. Stoke were not to be denied victory as in the final minute a trade mark Delap throw in was headed in by Mamady Sidibé to give Stoke a 3–2 win.[2]

Stoke next travelled to Middlesbrough for the first time since 1997. The match was an even affair until the 36th minute when Amdy Faye was sent off for a dangerous two footed tackle on Mohamed Shawky. From the resulting free kick Afonso Alves put Middlesbrough into the lead against the run of play. Boro had the chance to make sure of the win midway through the second half after Abdoulaye Faye fouled Alves in the area but Stewart Downing hit the crossbar from the resulting spot kick. Stoke then equalised after Justin Hoyte put a Lawrence cross in to his own net. However Turkish striker Tuncay beat the offside trap and gave Boro the win.[3]

For the visit of Everton there were debuts for Ibrahima Sonko and the return of Danny Higginbotham. It was also the first live televised match of the season. Stoke made the better start with Fuller testing Tim Howard early on. It was Everton though who opened the scoring though Nigerian striker Yakubu just before half time and five minutes after the restart it became 2–0 as another Nigerian, Victor Anichebe, headed in. Stoke pulled one back through a Nigerian of their own when Olofinjana volleyed in after the Everton defence failed to clear a Delap throw. City thought they had equalised moments later when Fuller went through and rounded 'keeper Howard but he was penalised for a foul on Joseph Yobo. They were level soon though as Phil Jagielka headed a Delap throw into his own net. Everton thought they should have had a penalty when Cort handled in the area but the referee, Alan Wiley deemed it outside the box which resulted in David Moyes been sent to the stands for his protest. Tim Cahill headed Everton back in front and the Toffees held out for the points.[4]

Stoke completed the Merseyside double with a trip to Anfield. Liverpool went into the match in fine form and it looked to be a very difficult task for Stoke to come away with anything. Stoke made a bad start as Steven Gerrard's free kick found the back of the net, luckily for Stoke the linesman ruled the goal out for offside. Liverpool had numerous chances to take the lead but Stoke's defence held firm and came away with an impressive 0–0 draw.[5]

Title favourites Chelsea next came the Britannia Stadium and produced a commanding performance with two goals from José Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka. Stoke rarely troubled Chelsea 'keeper Petr Čech in what was a simple win for the away side.[6]

Steve Simonsen and Michael Tonge made their first starts of the season away at Portsmouth. Peter Crouch acrobatically fired Pompey into the lead from Jermain Defoe's cross after 24 minutes at a time when the Potters were slightly on top of the game. Ricardo Fuller forced home an equaliser just after the break, but Defoe secured all three points for the hosts just three minutes later when he beat Simonsen at his near post with a low drive.[7]

Juande Ramos's Tottenham travelled to Stoke in what turned out to be a match full of incident. The first came after 17 minutes when Gareth Bale fouled Tom Soares in the area and received a red card, Higginbotham scored from the spot after having to reset the ball four times due to strong winds. Spurs then equalised through Darren Bent before Delap gave City the lead early in the second half. Goalkeeper Sorensen was then forced off due to injury and also Vedran Corluka who collided with his own keeper Gomes. Due to these injuries 11 minutes of stoppage time would be required, Stoke had the chance to end the match when Soares was again brought down in the box but Fuller's spot kick hit both posts and Delaps rebound hit the cross bar. Spurs were reduced to nine men when Michael Dawson lunged nastily at Sidibé.[8]

Stoke made their first trip to the City of Manchester Stadium and were undone by £32 million Brazilian Robinho who scored a hat-trick. City did have their chances put were unable to beat Joe Hart.[9]

The first Tuesday night match in the Premier League came at home against Roy Keane's Sunderland who had beaten rivals Newcastle United at the weekend. It proved to be a very tight affair with both sides struggling to create clear cut chances. Stoke scored the only goal of the game when Fuller out jumped Dean Whitehead to head in another Delap throw-in.[10]

Arsenal visited the Britannia Stadium at the beginning of November and was another match full of incident. The first came after just eleven minutes when Fuller's delicate touch from a Delap long throw put City in the lead. Arsenal rarely threatened Sorensen as they struggled to deal with Stoke's greater power and strength. They conceded again from a Delap throw on 73 minutes when Olofinjana bundled the ball past Almunia. Arsenal's misery was complete when Van Persie was sent off for needlessly barging into Sorensen, leaving him requiring assistance from the physio. Gaël Clichy's deflected freekick gave the Gunners a consolation deep in stoppage time.[11] After the match Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger accused Stoke of being overly aggressive in their play, Pulis responded to Wenger's criticism by quoting Abraham Lincoln.[12]

Stoke went to Wigan still looking for their first away win in the Premier League however the home side were full of confidence and had Egyptian striker Amr Zaki in fine form. Athletic dominated the match and managed to have 22 shots to City's 2, the combination of Sorensen and some wayward Wigan shooting Stoke managed a useful scoreless draw.[13]

Stoke then made the short trip to Manchester United in what turned out to be a poor game for City as the reigning champions scored five times without reply. Goals from Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov, Danny Welbeck and two free-kicks from Cristiano Ronaldo condemned Stoke to a heavy defeat.[14]

After the heavy defeat at Old Trafford Stoke came up against Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion. It was a poor match with few scoring opportunities but Stoke did manage to get the only goal of the game when Mamady Sidibé converted Danny Higginbotham's inch perfect centre with just five minutes remaining, to maintain City's exceptional winning record against the Baggies, and also lifted City up to 13th place in the Premier League.[15]

Surprise package Hull City arrived at the Britannia Stadium which was covered by fog. Stoke dominated most of the match and should have scored in the first half, however it was the away side who opened the scoring through Marlon King just before half time. Boaz Myhill made a number of impressive saves to keep Hull ahead but he gave away a penalty when he fouled Fuller in the area and the Jamaican made the scores level. City pressed for the winner but the Tigers held out for a 1–1 draw.[16] One bizarre moment of the match came when Hull substitute Dean Windass was shown a yellow card by referee Keith Stroud without coming on to the pitch, after he began to warm-up to close to Delap who was preparing to take a throw-in.[17]

Michael Owen scored twice for Newcastle United in the first 25 minutes of City's next match as St James' Park. Stoke improved greatly in the second half and when Ricardo Fuller was brought off the bench the game started to change and moments later he set up Sidibé for a simple tap in. Stoke had a number of chances to pull level and the equaliser came in stoppage time when former 'Castle player Abdoulaye Faye converted a Whelan free kick to earn Stoke a 2–2 draw.[18]

Stoke drew for the third game in a row when Fulham made the trip to the Britannia, it was a poor game of football with Richard Cresswell coming the closest to opening the scoring. Sidibé suffered a serious injury after just a few minutes of the match which ruled him out until the end of February.[19] There was an unsavory moment in the match when Fulham defender John Paintsil theatrically threw himself to the ground after minimal contact from Ricardo Fuller. Fuller branded Paintsil's actions as "disgraceful".[20]

Over 5,000 Stoke fans travelled to Blackburn Rovers as the club put on free coach travel, Pulis named an unusual starting eleven which included back-up 'keeper Steve Simonsen, Ryan Shawcross at right-back and reserve striker Vincent Péricard starting. Rovers had new manager Sam Allardyce making his home debut and his team took control of the match early on. Sonko clumsily brought down Pedersen and Benni McCarthy made no mistake from the spot. Jason Roberts added a second before McCarthy made it 3–0 before half time. Only Steve Simonsen prevented Rovers adding more in the second half.[21]

On Boxing day Stoke took on Manchester United in what was a bad tempered affair. Carlos Tevez scored the only goal for the away side in the second half, after Andy Wilkinson had been sent off for two bookable offences.[22]

Stoke made the trip to West London for their match against West Ham still looking for their first away win. City made the best possible start when Abdoulaye Faye powerfully headed in after just 4 minutes. It became a tight game for the remainder of the first half and City went in at the break a goal up. However Carlton Cole equalized for the Hammers after some poor defending from Andy Griffin. Following West Ham's goal, Fuller argued with Griffin, before slapping the Stoke captain's face. Mike Jones gave Fuller a straight red for violent conduct and West Ham went on to win the match 2–1, Diego Tristán earning the Hammers the three points.[23][24] On 1 January 2009, Tony Pulis confirmed that Fuller and Griffin had "kissed and made up" after a team meeting. Fuller said Griffin had been "very rude and disrespectful", but accepted that his actions had been worse.[25][26]

After their embarrassing exit to Hartlepool United in the FA Cup Stoke took on title challengers Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium. Pulis gave new signing Matthew Etherington his debut as Stoke made a bright start to the match. Firstly Delap hit the crossbar from seven yards and then Shawcross put the ball past Reina but the goal was ruled out for offside. Liverpool rarely threatened up until the final few minutes when Gerrard hit the woodwork twice, and the match finished in a 0–0 draw.[27]

James Beattie made his Stoke debut against Chelsea following his transfer from Sheffield United. Stoke suffered a blow early into the match as both Amdy Faye and Danny Higginbotham had to depart due to injury. Stoke took a surprise lead in the 60th minute when Delap broke free and beat Cech. Stoke thought they had done enough to claim victory but in the 88th minute Chelsea equalised though Juliano Belletti then Frank Lampard scored with the final kick of the game to give Stoke a bitter defeat.[28]

Stoke went in the game at Tottenham looking for their first win since the beginning of December. However any hopes of getting a result were ended in the first half as Spurs took control ruthlessly and went in at half time 3–0 in the lead. Stoke did manage to gain a consolation in the second half when Beattie scored his first goal for the club.[29]

Manchester City made the trip to the Britannia and the end of January and made a bright start with Robinho and Stephen Ireland going closest. Delap was sent off in the 38th minute when he kicked the ball at Shaun Wright-Phillips after the Man City player fouled Etherington. Stoke took the lead against the run of play in the 45th minute when Beattie out jumped Wayne Bridge and headed past Joe Hart. Man City controlled the second half but never managed to score the equaliser and Stoke gained a valuable three points.[30]

Stoke were boosted by two transfer deadline day captures with the loans of Birmingham's Stephen Kelly and Wigan's Henri Camara. Stoke suffered a major blow after just 30 minutes in the match in Wearside when Pulis had to make three substitutions all due to injury. Sunderland took the lead in the second half through a typical Kenwyne Jones header Camara then managed to hit the crossbar from just four-yard's. Etherington was sent off for needlessly tripping Danny Collins and David Healy gave Sunderland a 2–0 win.[31]

The match against Portsmouth came alive in the final 15 minutes, Kranjcar gave Pompey the lead and from the restart Stoke were awarded a penalty after Glen Johnson handled in the area. Beattie scored to bring Stoke back level, he scored again just two minutes later after he headed in a Danny Pugh cross. With Stoke set for a much needed three points Shawcross under pressure from Hreidarsson sliced the ball in his own net to give Pompey a point.[32]

Abdoulaye Faye was ruled out of the match against Aston Villa meaning that an unfamiliar back pairing of Sonko and Higginbotham started. In the first half Villa dominated and it became only a matter of time before they scored, it came on the stroke of half time through Bulgarian Stiliyan Petrov. Sorensen injured himself trying to save Petrov's goal and was replaced at half time by Simonsen. Stoke were improved second half but couldn't score the equaliser, and the game looked finished after 80 minutes as John Carew fired Villa in to a 2–0 lead. Stoke continued to push forward though and went close through Shawcross and Whelan who hit the post, Stoke did pull one back in the 88th minute when Shawcross headed in a cross from Beattie. Remarkably Stoke managed to score again in the final minute as Glenn Whelan's volley beat Brad Friedel to claim an unlikely 2–2 draw.[33]

Bolton were next opponents for Stoke and should have taken the lead through Elmander after 11 minutes. City responded in cynical fashion though and took the lead with their first chance of the game just three minutes later. Gary Megson's side failed to deal with Abdoulaye Faye's long ball forward and Whelan nipped in to head the ball through to Beattie, and he made no mistake from ten yards by easily placing the ball past the helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen. Both sides continued to create and miss chances as the game became an entertaining affair. Stoke sealed the win when Fuller took advantage of Wanderers failing to clear a Delap throw in.[34]

Stoke made the trip to Goodison Park for the first time since 1985 still looking for their first away win in the Premier League. The Toffees took control early on and goals from Brazilian Jô and Joleon Lescott gave the home side a 2–0 half-time lead. Stoke responded in the second half through a Shawcross header and came close to getting an equaliser but Marouane Fellaini made the points safe for Everton in added time.[35]

Stoke then faced Middlesbrough in a relegation clash at the Britannia Stadium. It was a scrappy encounter and with the game seemingly destined for a draw Stoke scored through Shawcross via a Delap throw to give Stoke a vital three points and leave Boro rooted in the bottom three.[36]

Stoke made the short trip to West Brom and made a flying start with Fuller scoring after just 80 seconds, Stoke went on to dominate the hosts and only Scott Carson keeping the Baggies in the match. Stoke sealed their first Premier League away win and their first away win in the top flight since May 1984 after Beattie curled his shot past Carson to seal a 2–0 victory.[37]

Relegation-threatened Newcastle United along with their new manager Alan Shearer were the next side to come to the Britannia Stadium, Newcastle struggled throughout and Stoke took the lead after 33 minutes when former Newcastle player Abdoulaye Faye powerfully headed in a Liam Lawrence corner. Stoke had a number of chances to score the second but were unable to find the net and Newcastle claimed a fortunate point with ten minutes remaining through Andy Carroll.[38]

Stoke then faced another relegation-threatened side in the form of Blackburn Rovers. The only goal came after 75 minutes when Liam Lawrence drilled the ball past Paul Robinson to send the Potters eight points above the relegation zone.[39]

Stoke made the trip to the capital to face in form Fulham; the home side took control of the match early into the match and took the lead in the 29th minute through Erik Nevland. Stoke were much improved in the second half and a number of chances to level but the match finished 1–0 to Europe-bound Fulham.[40]

West Ham were next to arrive at Stoke and became the first team to win at the Britannia Stadium in 2009. The match was a very tight affair with on the only goal being scored by a Diego Tristan free-kick after 33 minutes.[41]

A win away at Hull City would confirm survival for Stoke with two games remaining and with Phil Brown's side also looking for vital points in order to climb out of the relegation zone. It turned out to be a very entertaining match with both sides going all out for the win, it was City though who took the lead. Lawrence put in a dangerous ball which fell through to Fuller, and he pounced from 6 yards to slam the ball into the bottom corner of Boaz Myhill's goal. Hull came out fighting in the second half and brought on Geovanni, Manucho, and Bernard Mendy in an attempt to draw level. However it was Stoke who kept creating chances with Whelan's half volley hitting the crossbar. Stoke sealed their survival with a long-range goal from Liam Lawrence on 73 minutes. Hull scored a consolation through an Andy Dawson free kick in the final minute.[42]

The season's penultimate game was against Wigan Athletic at home. The match was played in a relaxed atmosphere and was an entertaining game, Stoke winning 2–0 thanks to a trademark sole goal from Fuller and a well worked goal from James Beattie.[43]

The final game of the 2008–09 season came at Arsenal with Stoke making their first trip to the Emirates Stadium. Stoke lost 4–1 with all the goals coming in the first half. An own goal from Beattie opened the scoring for Arsenal with further goals from Abou Diaby and a brace from Robin van Persie. Stoke's goal came from a Fuller penalty after he was brought down in the area by a cynical foul by Denilson.[44]