goal.com
Neither side managed to break the deadlock during a first half that swung both ways. City came strong out of the blocks and put the Stoke defence under concerted pressure. This led Thomas Sorensen to have to make saves from both Emmanuel Adebayor and Gareth Barry, while Nedum Onuoha shot wide of the target as Roberto Mancini's side took control early on.
Craig Bellamy wasted the best opportunity of the half with 20 minutes gone when a quick break almost the full length of the pitch from City saw Adebayor run through, he set up the Welshman only for his first touch to let him down and Sorensen rushed out to make a block.
City had most of the possession for the first half hour however Stoke started to come into the game, but not before both their forwards in Madamy Sidibe and Ricardo Fuller were shown yellow cards. Rory Delap warmed his throwing arm up for a number of occasions and City struggled to clear the balls flying into the box – while the man himself had a header easily saved by Shay Given on 37 minutes.
Both teams came out with more determination for the second half, however they cancelled each other out and the two managers started making their substitutions to change the game.
Barry missed a great chance for City on 67 minutes when he headed over a cross from substitute Shaun Wright-Philips from close range before two of Tony Pulis's fresh introductions made the breakthrough.
On 77 minutes Dave Kitson played a one-two with fellow substitute Tuncay on the edge of the area and then coolly slotted past Given to give Stoke the lead, an advantage which lasted only 90 seconds however before Adebayor cushioned the ball down for Bellamy to smack the ball in for an equaliser.
Delight soon turned to anguish for Adebayor though as on 81 minutes though, as he swung an arm at Ryan Shawcross and was given a red card by Steve Bennett.
In the second minute of injury time Stoke could have won the game but Shawcross headed a corner just wide of the post and then Fuller dragged a shot off target as the clock headed towards extra time.
Stoke took the lead again with 95 minutes of the tie gone, with the goal coming from one of Delap's infamous long throws. Given came for the ball but was beaten to it by Shawcross on the near post and the Stoke captain diverted the ball into an empty net to give his side a deserved lead.
That lead was extended and the game virtually over three minutes later when Stoke broke quickly and Tuncay turned the defence inside out before slotting the ball home for 3-1 and confirm his side a trip to Chelsea in the next round.
Source: goal.com
