The semi finals of the FA Cup have been drawn and it is a case of what have been for Stoke.
Having defeated two of the competitions favourites in Arsenal and Manchester City, the latter in a replay, an away trip to Chelsea proved a bridge too far as a deflected goal in each half from England pair Frank Lampard and John Terry saw the London side into another Wembley semi final.
That game was the culmination of the quarter finals after a trio of ties played earlier in the weekend, the first being crisis club Portsmouth edging out Birmingham, courtesy of two quickfire goals from Frederic Piquionne, whilst Liam Ridgewell's late effort crossed the line only for the assistant to stay firm and insist the ball hadn't crossed the line.
Pompey's next task is against ex-manager Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur or Roy Hodgson's Fulham after the Saturday evening kick off ended in stalemate.
Before Chelsea booked their place on Sunday the other last eight tie was played out as Shane Long's double gave Reading a 2-0 half time lead before three goals in thirteen minutes and an injury time goal from John Carew, to complete his hat trick, saw Aston Villa into a semi final tie with Chelsea.