Stoke show City they mean business

Stoke once again showed they are more than just a team of long ball merchants with a convincing 3-0 victory against relegation threatened Wolves at the Britannia Stadium. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will have surely glanced an eye over his side's opponents, with just over two weeks to go until the final at Wembley, and the Italian will have seen a Stoke side that are more than capable of causing his team more than problem or two when they do eventually meet.

Stoke stamped their authority on the match from the very start of the match, never allowing Wolves to gain a hold in the game. You can bet safety was Stoke's first priority, and they now look to have achieved that. Kenwyne Jones put the hosts 1-0 up with just over 15 minutes gone, heading home from a dangerous Jermaine Pennant cross to score his 11th of the season so far. The big striker will need to continue his good form of recent with Ricardo Fuller looking likely to miss the remainder of the campaign with injury.



Stoke then went on to dominate the half without managing to breakdown the Wolves defence. That battling defence came unstuck in first half injury time, skipper Ryan Shawcross getting a last touch on a deflected Glenn Whelan shot to double his side's advantage. The second goal ensured Tony Pulis had a fairly easy team-talk, which can only have consisted of the manager telling his side to just keep doing what they were doing.



The game was dead and buried within six minutes of the restart with the lively Pennant grabbed a well deserved goal following a stunning first touch, allowing him to finish past Wayne Hennessey in the Wolves goal. The winger had been a thorn in Wolves side throughout the match and his goal was well deserved. Pennant will have a major role to play when he lines up to face City at Wembley. With so many big players in the Stoke side, Pennant's delivery could be the key to any chance Stoke have and those looking at the FA Cup betting should remember this.



The victory against Wolves now means the Potters are all but certain of staying in the Premier League for another year. As underdogs, Stoke will be able to relax to a certain degree and City will need to be at their best to handle their powerful opponents.