Thomas Sorenson - 7 - Didn't have a great deal to do but stayed on his toes and was there when needed
Andy Wilkinson - 6 - Struggled at times with the winger but was solid enough and also tried to get forward more than we are used to seeing from him
Danny Higginbotham - 6 - Looks really short on confidence every time he gets the ball. Had one dodgy moment first half but in defence he was solid and kept the wingers quiet
Ryan Shawcross - 7 - Was promised a tough job marking Jones and Bent but did well and stopped any clear cut chances developing
Abdoulaye Faye - 7 - One first half block prevented what could quite easily have been a goal and was on top for the whole game
Liam Lawrence - 7 - Wasn't helped by a lot of stray passes but when the ball did actually reach him he used it well and looks on top of his game at the minute
Matthew Etherington - 6 - Struggling for form right now but plenty of effort in his search for that early Potters career form
Glenn Whelan - 8(Man of the Match) - One of, if not the, best performances in a Stoke shirt by Whelan as he spread the play, tackled hard, tracked back and ran the game from the centre of the park.
Rory Delap - 7 - Pressured well and helped out in attack and defence. Typical strong display
Ricardo Fuller - 6 - Not hit top gear yet this season, and may need too soon with the competition for places up front. A lot of what he tried today just didn't come off
Dave Kitson - 7 - Finally a first Premier League goal and 'Big Dave' is bang in form. Deserved this start and surely did enough to warrant a place in the XI v Chelsea after the international break
Subs
Tuncay Sanli - 7 - First touch was a tackle that then turned into a 50 yard run. Looked every bit the player we thought we'd signed in his short time on the pitch.
Robert Huth - 6 - Not on long enough to do anything major but helped see out the victory
Dean Whitehead - 6 - Kept himself busy in the midfield and pressured the ball to stop the Black Cats creating anything. Coupke of yards away from nodding in a Kitson cross.