Scorers:
Hernandez (Man Utd) 38′pen
Berbatov (Man Utd) 53′ pen

Following SJ Maskell's torrid Pompey prologue of yesterday, the spotlight now falls on a second club beginning with P: the Valiants from Burslem in Staffordshire and a business that has fallen on decidedly hard times after punching above its weight for much of the nineties. We last heard from Tom Bourne in June; his coruscating post casting a light on troubling events at Vale Park.

szólj hozzá: Stoke vs WBA 1:2 MOTD

Scorers:
Morrison (WBA) 35′
Walters (Sto) miss pen 71′
Jerome (Sto) 86′
Dorrans (WBA) 90′

I might be clutching at straws a little, but there's a small amount of evidence to suggest that our best results against Manchester United in recent times come during difficult periods.

Now is certainly one of those periods. After we looked like recovering a season that looked lost as soon as it started, we are now being shown up for our weaknesses again, with the recent defeat to Swansea feeling like another of many 'final straw' moments that we've experienced in recent seasons; another on the long list of new lows.

It's a fortress, but there's just too many draws...Liverpool were held to another draw at Anfield yesterday as they struggled to get anything past Tony Pulis's Stoke side. The Potters played in their stereotypical way and whilst they would have been extremely happy with the point Liverpool were left frustrated.

Stoke again prove their Liverpool's Bogey side.

Starting Line-up: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Coates, Enrique, Henderson, Adam, Gerrard, Downing, Kuyt

Subs: Aurelio, Carroll, Doni, Shelvey, Kelly, Flanagan, Bellamy

What do our fans think of tonight's surprise line-up?

Having had a great win at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, expect to see Kenny re-introduce the likes of Jose Enriqué, Maxi Rodriguez as well as the combination of returning Captain Steven Gerrard to play alongside Charlie Adam in midfield in the absence of young Jay Spearing who did his hamstring on Wednesday.

Gerrard signed a new deal this week...Liverpool face Stoke at Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League. After a winning performance at the Etihad in the League Cup, the Reds are brimming with confidence. Interestingly, the last time visitors Stoke lost in the league was at the Etihad, Pulis's boys are on a bit of a roll.

Scorers:
Crouch (Sto)
Crouch (Sto)
Goodwillie (Bla)

Scorers:
Moses (Wig) 45′
Walters (Sto) 77′ pen
Jerome (Sto) 84′
Watson (Wig) '87 pen

Stoke lost their unbeaten Europa League record last night in Turkey going down 3-1 to Besiktas, Ricardo Fuller and Jermaine Pennant got the Turkey treatment as they were showered with lighters and coins but Stoke manager Tony Pulis refused to report the incident to UEFA quoting: We are Stoke we don't complain.

Despite temporary setbacksCinderella always triumphs in the end. The Pantomime season started on Sunday this year with Cinderella at the Britannia Palace with your very own Mr. Christopher Foy playing Baron Hardup. There are several candidates for the Ugly Sisters, Petunia and Nasturtium. (Petty and Nasty) Shawcross and Whitehead will do for me.

What's worse than having the similar name to an unpopular referee? Being famous and having a similar name.

Chris Hoy is an Olympic gold medal (three time) cyclist. Christ Foy is a Premiership referee who had an unfortunate weekend, which then led to lots of unfortunate moments on Chris Hoy's Twitter feed.

Younes couldn't have picked a worse time to roll out his Petr Cech impressionWWWWDWWWWWWFOY. Tottenham's remarkable run of winning form came to a shuddering end at Stoke yesterday but the controversial decisions made by referee Chris Foy left a particularly bitter taste in the mouth.
An inept first half showing from Spurs, unbecoming of a title-chasing team, had left them 2-0 and with the prospect of scaling a metaphorical mountain in order to get anything from the game.

THFC1882 presents Glen Bocking with a report of Tottenham Hotspurs visit to Stoke.

So.... The 'run' is over, that game away fans always refer to as being a tough game has ended in defeat, quite how Spurs lost though is another matter altogether.

For pretty much all of the 1st half and a decent chunk of the 2nd half it's fair to say Spurs were the better team, aside from 2 set piece goals, Spurs spent the 1st half pretty much camped in Stoke's half.

For many a tortured soul, Peter Crouch's exit from Tottenham was as good as a new signing. A two-season career which peaked in Manchester on that famous evening- briefly spiking into the green with a Young Boys beating hat-trick and the heroics in Lombardy- withered somewhat terminally in its final months.

THFC1882 welcomes another guest writer on board. This time it's Glen Bocking. Glen is an Essex boy but now lives in Stoke so is handily placed to attend this game. Glen's first Spurs memories are the '91 FA Cup semi and final! Great start to his Spurs watching!

With Scott Parker as Errol Flynn as the dashing Lord Cardiganand Luka Modric as Commander In Chief Lord Raglan Longest unbeaten run; longest winning run. Broken records to the left of us, broken records to the right of us, into the Top Three rode... . I've heard of a bull in a china shop but a pig in a record shop is a stretch too far.

Every week I thought I'll write a post about one team outside the big four and this week I thought STOKE CITY should be the team that opens the account for this series. Why Stoke? Stoke re-entered the prem in 2008 and have stayed up for two seasons now, their style of play and their track suit wearing manager are all very catchy and show character.

The last few seasons have seen Arsenal looked upon as a fragile, diminutive side with a lack of height and strength. The likes of Patrick Viera could once provide that but since then, Wenger has been accused of amassing a squad that is too short to fight. Various reports have been written in the past [.

Suarez celebrates...Liverpool have booked their place in the quarter finals of the League Cup after Luis Suarez put two goals in the Stoke net. Manager Kenny Dalglish was visibly delighted at the result and clearly the Reds are taking this competition very seriously.
The Liverpool team saw a lot of changes from the eleven that started against Norwich but the likes of Reina, Carragher and Suarez still made the start.

Liverpool progress into the Carlin Cup Quarter Finals after Luis Suarez scored 2 goals in a come from behind win.

Kenwyne Jones put Stoke ahead in the 43th minute with a great header.

Luis Suarez then went on to win the game scoring in the 53rd and 85th minute. His first goal was some thing special and can be seen in the video bellow.

Will Bellamy start?Liverpool make a second trip to the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night for their latest Carling Cup tie. After shots galore at the Stoke goal earlier this season, Liverpool failed to come away victorious with Stoke taking all three points.
Liverpool are lucky enough not to have any injuries to worry about and Lucas is also available again after being suspended for the Norwich game.

Welcome to the video blog by Jules for Arsenalinsider.com. Jules takes us through the win over Stoke last weekend.

Bio on Jules Wheeler:

Stunning beauty Jules Wheeler discovered a love of performing at an early age. Her talent for acting and dance quickly stood out and Jules was offered a place at the prestigious child actors school London's 'Anna Scher'.

Video highlights and reaction

So, three goals, three points, another masterclass by Robin van Persie and Stoke go home unhappy. All in all that was a pretty satisfactory day at the office, even if it did look a little bit unsure at certain times.

Arsene Wenger rested Robin van Persie, a decision arrived at after consultation between player and manager apparently, meaning Marouane Chamakh started a league game for the first time since the final game of last season, when everything was academic.

Only person to be involved in all the goals

Crisis talk? What crisis talk? Slowly but surely we're inching up the table. Just when I was getting used to read about Arsenal being involve in relegation six pointers battle. Too bad our win over Stoke yesterday would be overshadowed by the incredible result in the Manchester derby.

Robin van Persie came off the bench to score twice for Arsenal in their 3-1 win over Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.

Gervinho scored his first goal in front of his home crowd to put the Gunners ahead midway through the first half, only for the Potters to reply through Peter Crouch's close-range effort a few minutes later.

Facts and figures ahead of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal are without Carl Jenkinson due to a knee injury sustained against Marseille so, withBacary Sagna a long-term absentee, Johan Djourou could start at right-back.

Arsène Wenger has been mulling over the idea of resting Van Persie for today's visit from Stoke, the player having been the only ever-present member of the Arsenal squad this season along with Szczęsny. Despite having an on-form, proven striker in Park, it is Chamakh that seems to be the most likely to replace the [.

Djourou will be up against a much leaner player today

On we go to the next game. It's the visit of Stoke, an opponent that will unite Arsenal fans. 2 years on but the animosity between both sets of fans still exist. I can't say for certain if the players are on the same thought process as we are and as professionals, I wouldn't expect them to be.

Camaraderie, one of the most important aspect of a team sport

One more day of rest before the Arsenal game tomorrow. Can't be living in our own world only, there's also the big top of the table clash which will be played at the same time as our game. Even Arsene Wenger was coaxed into saying something about that game.

After a variable first couple of months for Arsenal, Per Mertesacker has seemingly turned a corner in terms of strengthening the backline, especially when partnered with Koscielny. He has faced some tough opposition, with the likes of Kevin Davies, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yakubu coming up against the German since August.

With Stoke's football being labelled as similar to ‘rugby' by Wenger and many other footballing parties, Arsenal's match with the Potters will undoubtedly consist of the usual physicality and frenzy increasingly seen in this fixture. Arteta has shown signs of progress but still looks occasionally immobile and with Wilshere still out, it would be great [.

Arsenal v Stoke is a 1.30 Sunday kick off but non televised, due to both sides playing in Europe mid week. Arsenal would have a more valid excuse if hung over after the tough trip to Marseille whereas Stoke faced an easier match against Maccabi Tel Aviv at home. Arsenals home form this season is [...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reminded the team's critics that the Gunners fall in the unique category of teams such as Real Madrid and Manchester United as the only clubs to have played Champions League football for fourteen consecutive years.

In preparing for tonight's Group F clash away to Marseille, Wenger responded with confidence when questioned regarding the credentials of his side.

Stewart Downing got off to a flying start for Liverpool, coming out against Sunderland, Arsenal, and Bolton as not just one of the club's better players of the early going but potentially the long sought answer for the left side of midfield. Then, as quickly as he'd seemed to establish himself, in the eyes of many he became a question mark.

Liverpool have today confirmed that there next Carling Cup fixture will be against Stoke City in the fourth round on Wednesday, October 26th.

Kick-off will be 7.45pm at the Britannia Stadium.

The Reds will be looking to get some revenge after dropping three points on their last visit despite dominating the game.

He's big, he's scary, he runs like a misshappen fairy... Peter Crouch. And surprisingly, Stoke came to play today. In a pretty even match, Crouch scores the 2nd half equalizer as Nani scored yet again for the Red Devils. Final, 1-1. Video: mysoccerplacenet
[[ This is a content summary only.

The selection of a child in Tottenham's lineup added fuel to the suggestion that Redknapp wasn't too bothered about the Carling CupFredi Kanoute, Michael Brown, Jermaine Jenas, Pascal Chimbonda, David Bentley, Jamie O'Hara and now Roman Pavlyuchenko and Massimo Luongo. It's just as, if not a little bit more, depressing a list as Pearce, Waddle, Southgate, Batty, Vassell, etc.