Stoke 2-1 West Ham United | The FA Cup 6th Round

Stoke vs West Ham United, R6,
The FA Cup 6th Round - 13/03/11
Danny Higginbotham's fierce free-kick sank West Ham and sent Stoke into their first FA Cup semi-final for 39 years as they edged a fast and furious game that was full of controversy.
After Robert Huth headed the Potters in front, referee Mike Jones angered both sides with his decisions, first allowing Frederic Piquionne's equaliser to stand despite an apparent handball and then awarding Stoke a cheap penalty which Robert Green saved brilliantly.
Jones also played a key part in Higginbotham's winner, awarding the Potters another free-kick for handball in the wall when Jermaine Pennant's initial effort was blocked.
But once the dust settles, it would be a shame if the officials were to be the main post-match talking point because this was a full-blooded cup tie that saw plenty of endeavour by both teams.
Roared on by the home fans, Stoke made a breathless start and Pennant sent over two dangerous crosses from the right in the first two minutes, with Matthew Etherington getting on the end of one of them to force a fine save from Green.
The visitors were given notice of what was to come when Huth headed wide from a Rory Delap long throw but failed to heed the warning, allowing the German defender to rise unmarked to meet another Delap catapult and plant his header into the net after 12 minutes.
Stoke deserved their advantage and they looked to build on their lead with Etherington continuing his busy wing-play down the opposite flank.
Apart from an unusually tame long-range Thomas Hitzlsperger effort, the Hammers created nothing in response until Piquionne's leveller on the half-hour mark, which was allowed to stand to the ire of the Stoke players and fans.
The French striker appeared to bring down Hitzlsperger's long ball over the top with his arm, before chipping it over Thomas Sorensen and bundling it across the line despite the best efforts of Huth.

[@bencarter6263]

"kenwayne Jones must of thought he scored" - that's etherington, I can see how you got confused 😂😂😂

[@VivaLaShed]

Higginbotham takes quality free kicks

[@Eggmanjames]

2020? Anyone?

[@auliyakusuma5558]

Yes here Bro haha

[@furnivk]

Stoke Forever

[@Chesterfiled]

Robert Green, England's no. 1 !!

[@gavinthurston1239]

I just want to know who the commentator was who described Huth's wrestling move on the free kick as 'Strong'? "They break out the wall - that's what they do really well." Grabbing an opponent's arm and dragging him away isn't 'Strong'. Quite obvious that one was planned and worked on in training by Pulis' bruisers.

[@pj5517]

As opposed to clear handball

[@AJ-cv9zf]

Shut up

[@한겱]

classic stoke

[@MrAshonicko]

So their goal was not a handball?....

[@StaanzaaHD]

COLLISON 0-1! COYI

[@ramymaure]

west they need good defend

[@furnivk]

blah blah blah ... was at tihs game no danger stoke won this all day long

[@DanielJames8]

3:05 Etherington tells Jon Walters 'fuck off your shit at peno's'... oops

[@WestHamNil66]

Every decision by the ref in this video is a terrible one. Cast iron penalty denied for West Ham, blatant dive with no contact for Stoke's penalty and soft free kicks given for Stoke throughout. Just watch the replay Stoke's free kick 5:04 to 5:17. The number 4 pulls the defender out the way to allow the ball to go through, otherwise it hits the wall. Stoke under Tony Pulis were a disgrace to football and they always got the refs help.

[@olliewalton361]

And also the fact that your only goal was handball 😂

[@pj5517]

If it wasn't for the ref you'd never have scored you simpleton

[@alan.benson]

bb

[@16Whu]

yeh and look how far you got to in Europe,

[@olliewalton361]

16Whu look how far you got this season lad 😂😂

[@pj5517]

We did real well in Europe. We know West Ham fans are a bit thick but you don't help :-)

[@davegrantwhufc3564]

IRONS

[@shadowferas]

Oh hey it's the Dirtiest club on earth..cough..I mean Stoke.

[@Eggmanjames]

Feras Kai West Ham inbreds

[@pj5517]

Speaking of dirty

[@Eggmanjames]

West Ham ALWAYS CHEATING