Peter Crouch came off the bench to score the winner as Stoke City earned a 1-0 victory over Hull City this afternoon.
Following an uninspiring first half, Stoke took control after the break and Charlie Adam came close with two stinging efforts that went just wide.
In the 71st minute the hosts managed to break the deadlock, as Crouch was picked out at the back post by Adam, before guiding a header into the far corner.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at the Britannia Stadium.
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STOKE CITY:
Goal
Asmir Begovic: Did not have a single save to make as Hull offered little threat. He did look slightly nervous after dropping a cross, but he was not seriously tested. (6/10)
Defence
Phil Bardsley: Solid at the back and never shied away from making a challenge. (7/10)
Marc Wilson: Barely troubled by the Hull attack and never put a foot wrong in a composed display. (7/10)
Phillip Wollscheid: Had a decent game, but was badly caught out by Aluko in the fist half. He allowed the striker to easily get past him and fire an effort across goal. (6/10)
Erik Pieters: Was a dependable presence in the Stoke defence. He got forward more as the game went on and threatened with a powerful strike that went just over. (6/10)
Midfield
Glenn Whelan: Solid performance in the middle of the pitch and showed some neat touches. (6/10)
Stephen Ireland: Disappointing afternoon for the Irishman. He escaped a booking for a nasty foul on Meyler and had to go off with a knock at half time. (7/10)
Steven N'Zonzi: Put in plenty of effort and worked hard for his team all evening. (5/10)
Attack
Victor Moses: Could not quite replicate the impact that he had last weekend, but was a danger throughout and lively on the wings. (6/10)
Mame Biram Diouf: Did not see too much of the ball, but looked a threat from set pieces before he was replaced by Crouch. (6/10)
Jonathan Walters: Not the best of games for the striker, but he put in plenty of effort and worked hard for his team. (6/10)
Substitutes
Peter Crouch: Came off the bench and scored within a minute of his arrival. It was a trademark header from the striker, who has scored some vital goals for Stoke this season. (7/10)
Charlie Adam: Was brought on at the start of the second half and changed the game in his team's favour. He added much needed energy and skill to the attack and set up the winning goal with a brilliant cross. (8/10)
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HULL CITY:
Goal
Allan McGregor: Like his opposite number, the keeper was rarely tested. He did not have a serious save to make and could have done little about Crouch's goal. (6/10)
Defence
Alex Bruce: Defended well and managed to win a number of challenges throughout the contest. (7/10)
Paul McShane: Struggled at the back and was beaten in the air by Crouch for the winning goal. (6/10)
Michael Dawson: Another good outing for the former Spurs defender. He was strong in the air and marshalled the back three well all afternoon. (7/10)
Midfield
Maynor Figueroa: Played well and stopped the threat of Pieters down his flank. (6/10)
David Meyler: Was the victim of a poor challenge by Ireland in the first half and looked to be losing his cool after the break before he was substituted. (6/10)
Jake Livermore: Struggled to make an impact in the heart of the midfield and could have done better when he was on the ball. (6/10)
Tom Huddlestone: Another of Hull's midfielders who had a quiet game. He wasted possession and his delivery from set pieces were poor. (5/10)
Ahmed Elmohamady: Had a hard time dealing with the pace of Moses down his side of the pitch and was unable to contribute effectively. (5/10)
Attack
Sone Aluko: Had the only chance on goal for Hull with an effort that he poked wide following a decent run. That was his only real moment of danger and he was replaced early in the second half by N'Doye. (6/10)
Gaston Ramirez: Barely made an impact and was a largely forgettable presence throughout the match. (5/10)
Substitutes
Abel Hernandez: Was brought on for the final 12 minutes and went on a strong run down the left before playing in a decent cross that almost resulted in a chance for his side. (6/10)
Stephen Quinn: Did not see enough of the ball after he came on to make an impact. (6/10)
Dame N'Doye: Another who saw little of the ball as the match largely passed him by. (6/10)
Alex Meyers
