SHARE OF THE SPOILS

BURNLEY 1 STOKE CITY FC 

It was good to see Etherington back for his first start since the injury at Man City in the FA Cup.Together with Lawrence he added attacking threat for the Potters.Stoke had the best of a poor first half going in one goal up thanks to Tuncay and Rory Delap. The inevitable long throw from the left was headed on by Sidibe ,for Tuncay to head past Jensen from 5 yards. Tuncay’s fifth goal of the season….he must be close to being our leading scorer.

The second half started with Burnley looking much livelier. On 52 minutes ex -stokie Patterson lost his marker swivelled ,crossing the ball in from the right side of the box for  Nugent under challenge from Huth to head past Sorensen  for the equaliser.At this stage the momentum was clearly with the home side, but Stoke defended stoutly, as they have done on many occasions this season, and their efforts were assisted by some poor decision making by the home forwards when chances fell to them.Eagles, who looked a classy player in much of what he did, was particularly wasteful. At 62 minutes  Danny Pugh came on for Lawrence, and Kitson for Sidibe.

Tuncay bustled about to great effect, on one occasion showing great skill getting to the edge of the Burnley box cutting the ball across, but none of his team mates were following up for the inviting tap in.Moult on for Tuncay 82mins.So an industrious, energetic, and productive performance from the Turkish captain, and a full 90 mins from Matty Etherington. Right at the death he brilliantly managed to curl a shot toward goal, but unfortunately it passed just outside the left hand post.

I am pretty sure that had this game been played on the allotted date with Burnley managerless and in turmoil at the time, we would have come away with all three points. Given the games we have had to get through recently I think most of us would have settled for a point tonight.

So still 11^th in the table and on 35 points. We can be certain that Mr.Pulis will keep things on the boil as he seeks certain safety.

Bring on the Villa.