Stoke looked really comfortable at The Riverside,playing energetically,closing down their hosts very quickly.There was no real threat from'Boro until just after the half hour when Amdy Faye put in a two footed tackle and was promptly sent off by ref Mike Dean.
The resultant free kick, centrally placed just outside the box, was beautifully struck by Alves, apparently heading wide but at the last moment curling inside the post with keeper Sorensen a spectator.Stoke played out the remaining 12 minutes or so comfortably.
The second half was dominated by Boro with Sorensen making fine saves.Downing contrived to strike a penalty against the bar after Olofinjana had fouled Alves.Against the run of play Stoke equalised when defender Hoyte turned a Lawrence cross into his own net (70).
With the pressure on, 10 man Stoke were unable to hold out, Tuncay netting the winner (84) having been played onside by sub full back Wilkinson.
A case of what might have been...11 men on the pitch throughout could well have made the difference....c'est la vie....but no shame in this dogged performance.
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