Stoke in comedy of errors

Stoke slipped to their third defeat of the season and are now without a win in the last seven games. Tony Pulis described Stoke’s lack of defending as ‘comical’ as the Potters let in two goals and Clint Hill saw red after a second yellow card.

Stoke started brightly as Pulis handed Ricardo Fuller his debut and were well on top for the first twenty minutes which saw shots from Fuller, Darel Russell and Andy Griffin.

After that, Wolves started to come into the game. Former Stoke midfielder, Karl Henry caused problems and nearly bundled an attempt over the line, but it was Leon Clarke’s shot across the goal that was too far for Steve Simonsen’s outstretched hands to save that put the home side in front in the 21st minute.

Stoke again suffered from poor defending and neither defender seemed able to snuff out Clarke’s shot on goal.

This stirred both Wolves players and fans alike and the Potters had to withstand a barrage of attacks on goal, but it was not all one way traffic as Fuller saw another shot saved by Wolves keeper, Matthew Murray on the stroke of half time.

Luke Chadwick did not come out at the restart, after suffering from a back injury in the first half, and was replaced by Carl Hoefkens.

More chances came and went for the Potters as good work from Russell, Dave Brammer and Peter Sweeney was squandered by Fuller’s failure to convert the pass. Any hopes Stoke had of coming away with at least a point were dashed in the 68th minute as Olofinjana headed past Simonsen to score Wolves’ second after Rohan Ricketts had been allowed to cross unmarked.

Final humiliation followed as Clint Hill was booked twice in as many minutes and was forced to make an early exit in the 85th minute.

Wolves: Murray, Edwards, Breen, Craddock, Mulgrew, Potter, Olofinjana, Henry, Ricketts, Johnson (Gobern 82), Clarke (Craig Davies 62).
Subs not used: Ikeme, Jones, Little.

Stoke: Simonsen, Griffin, Duberry, Hill, Higginbotham, Chadwick (Hoefkens 45), Brammer, Russell, Sweeney (Paterson 61), Sidibe, Fuller (Rooney 79).
Subs not used: Pulis, Whitley.