Stoke City 3-1 Arsenal
Fuller was in fine form to score two goals and help Stoke into the fifth round
Sunday, 24, Jan 2010 03:23
By Darren Plant.
Stoke City produced a resilient performance to move into the fifth round of the FA Cup with an impressive 3-1 win over Arsenal.
Two goals from Ricardo Fuller - the first after just 70 seconds - either side of a Denilson equaliser put Stoke ahead, and Dean Whitehead sealed the win five minutes from time.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger handed Sol Campbell his first start since rejoining the club earlier in the transfer window, and he also gave a rare start to Theo Walcott, but Stoke shocked the Gunners with a goal after 70 seconds.
A trademark long throw from Rory Delap saw Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski look to come and punch the ball, but Fuller nipped in front of him to head in off the bar from six yards.
The home side continued to dominate the opening 15 minutes and Campbell made his first contribution with a timely intervention to block Fuller's cross.
Half an hour quickly passed with Arsenal's attack having no impact whatsoever on Stoke's strong defence, with Walcott and Carlos Vela the main culprits in wasting crosses out wide.
Stoke could count themselves unfortunate not to earn a penalty in the 34th minute after Mikael Silvestre went in late on Fuller, but the striker's initial attempt to stay on his feet appeared to cost him as the referee ruled play on.
With four minutes of the half remaining, Arsenal somehow found themselves back on level terms.
After being awarded a contentious free-kick wide on the left, Cesc Fabregas laid the ball off to Denilson who shot through a crowd of players and saw his effort find the bottom corner of the net.
The returning Campbell had the first opportunity of the second half when he rose to meet a lofted corner from Fabregas but his header looped over the bar.
Arsenal began to build up a head of steam and Fabregas let fly from 30 yards but Sorensen did well to help the ball over for a corner.
Stoke did well to regain the initiative and after Silvestre had done superbly to head clear with Mamady Sidibe waiting at the back post, Fuller tried his luck from the edge of the box but his shot went harmlessly over.
Arsenal youngster Francis Coquelin very nearly put the ball into his own net after 63 minutes after a teasing Sidibe cross was heading towards Matthew Etherington at the back post, but the French right-back slid in to intercept and put the ball inches past his own post.
With a hectic fixture schedule ahead, Wenger was not keen on a replay and introduced Andrei Arshavin, Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo in an attempt to win the tie, but making all his substitutions all at once nearly cost the Arsenal manager as Silvestre appeared to be injured shortly afterwards, but managed to continue.
However, moments before the front duo of Sidibe and Fuller were due to be replaced, they combined to put Stoke ahead with 13 minutes remaining.
Sidibe galloped down the right hand side and curled in an inch perfect cross for the awaiting Fuller and he calmly headed low down to Fabianski's left to send the Brittania Stadium into raptures.
As expected, Arsenal began to surge forward and Ramsey blazed over from 12 yards after making a sharp run to meet Vela's cut-back.
However, moments later, Stoke made it 3-1 with a terrific combination of pressure and creativity to seal their place in the next round.
Sidibe harassed the ball from the Arsenal midfield and released Etherington down the left. The winger bided his time before crossing low to the back post for Whitehead to tap in and give Stoke their first ever cup win over Arsenal.