Player Ratings: Stoke 2-1 West Ham

Last updated : 15 March 2011 By Dan Buxton

Thomas Sorensen - 8 - Made a couple of fantastic saves and distribution and handling was great

Marc Wilson - 8 - Was strong and solid in defence, calm on the ball and made some outstanding passes

Danny Higginbotham - 8 - Scored the winner with a bullet like free kick and was also like a rock in defence, nothing got past him all game

Robert Huth - 8 - Scored the crucial first goal and was like a brick wall at the back, letting nothing past as he and Ryan were back to their best

Ryan Shawcross - 8 - Made some timely tackles and had Cole in his pocket throughout the match

Jermaine Pennant - 9(Man of the Match) - Outstanding as he bombed forward at will, put in some fantastic crosses and rarely gave the ball away. Also got back well and defended solidly

Matthew Etherington - 8 - Won a penalty, although he himself then missed it, and ran his full back ragged, darting inside and out whilst also putting numerous dangerous balls into the box

Glenn Whelan - 8- Had a great game, possibly his best in a Stoke shirt, as he won the tackles in the midfield and hardly, if ever wasted a pass. Major difference on recent performances

Rory Delap - 7 - Distribution was poor and the ball rarely fell to a Stoke shirt however he never stopped running, made it nigh impossible for the West Ham midfield to influence the game and also it was his throw in that led to the opener

Jon Walters - 8 - Never stopped running, showed some neat touches and won the Potters some crucial corners and throw ins. Linlked up very well with Jones

Kenwyne Jones - 8 - Was somewhere near back to his best, again going up a gear following recent lesser improvements to his form, as he put himself about, won numerous headers and chased the defence down. Laid the ball off at the right time and was an outlet throughout, using his frame well

Dean Whitehead - 6 - Was sent on for fresh legs and made a couple of vital tackles and also broke from midfield to pressure the ball in the Hammers defence and not allow them an easy out ball

Ricardo Fuller - 6 - Came on for injury time, immediately picked up a booking and had a couple of chances to finish the game but couldn't

Danny Collins - 6 - Came on for last three minutes of injury time and kept pressing and pushing the visitors when in possession, not allowing the Hammers the room to manufacture an equaliser