On March 13, 2011, Stoke City faced West Ham United in an FA Cup quarter-final match at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke City secured a 2-1 victory, advancing to the semi-finals of the competition.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Stoke City: 2 (Robert Huth 12′, Danny Higginbotham 63′)
- West Ham United: 1 (Frederic Piquionne 30′)
- Possession:
- West Ham United had 52% possession, while Stoke City had 48%. Despite having less possession, Stoke City’s direct and effective play, particularly through set pieces, proved decisive in securing the win.
- Shots:
- Stoke City registered 9 shots, with 5 on target, highlighting their efficiency in making the most of their opportunities. West Ham United had 10 shots, with 4 on target, reflecting their efforts to break down Stoke’s defense but ultimately falling short.
- Passing Accuracy:
- West Ham United displayed a passing accuracy of 76%, completing 271 passes out of 355 attempts. Stoke City had a lower passing accuracy of 65%, completing 172 passes out of 263 attempts. Stoke’s focus was less on ball retention and more on direct, physical play, which suited their strengths.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Stoke City made 19 tackles compared to West Ham’s 14, indicating their aggressive approach in regaining possession and disrupting West Ham’s play. Both teams committed 15 fouls, showing the physical and competitive nature of the match.
- Set Pieces:
- Stoke City’s goals came from set pieces, a hallmark of their playing style. Robert Huth scored the opener with a powerful header from a long throw-in by Rory Delap. Danny Higginbotham scored the winner with a free-kick that deflected off the wall, catching West Ham’s defense off guard. West Ham’s goal came from open play, with Frederic Piquionne finishing after a quick counter-attack.
- Individual Performances:
- Robert Huth was a key player for Stoke City, not only scoring the opening goal but also contributing defensively with his aerial presence. Danny Higginbotham’s winning goal underscored Stoke’s threat from set pieces. For West Ham, Frederic Piquionne was the standout, scoring their only goal and posing a constant threat, but he received little support from his teammates.
- Tactical Overview:
- Stoke City employed a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on physicality, direct play, and set pieces to create scoring opportunities. West Ham United used a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to control the midfield and utilize the pace of their forwards. Stoke’s tactics were more effective, particularly in leveraging set pieces, which ultimately won them the match.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards, two for each team: Stoke City’s Rory Delap (42′) and Ryan Shawcross (78′), and West Ham United’s Scott Parker (54′) and Mark Noble (72′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing counter-attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Stoke City won 7 corners compared to West Ham’s 5, reflecting their sustained pressure, particularly through set pieces. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating disciplined defensive lines and attempts to exploit gaps.
Summary
Stoke City’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-final was a classic display of their direct and physical playing style, with both goals coming from set pieces. Despite West Ham’s attempts to control possession and create chances, Stoke’s efficiency and strength in the air proved too much. Robert Huth’s header and Danny Higginbotham’s deflected free-kick were enough to send Stoke through to the semi-finals, where their solid defensive effort and effective use of set pieces made the difference. West Ham, despite equalizing through Frederic Piquionne, were unable to overcome Stoke’s physical approach and ultimately fell short in their bid to advance. This victory highlighted Stoke City’s strengths and set up a memorable FA Cup run.
