Player Ratings: Stoke 3-1 York

Last updated : 02 January 2010 By Dan Buxton

Thomas Sorenson - 6 - Didn't have a chance with the goal but kicking was dreadful in the main and distribution wasn't done with the usual speed. Subbed at half time with finger injury

Robert Huth - 7 - Had little to do in defence and was always there if Lawrence was in trouble but did get himself in trouble a couple of times

Danny Collins - 6 - Didn't really look comfortable, which is worrying against such lowly opposition, and needed Higginbotham to come and dig him out of a hole or two.

Danny Higginbotham - 7 - Continued his rise from the ashes as he captained the side and marshalled the new look back four well, helping Cort slip back in and being on hand for Collins when he turned his way into trouble

Leon Cort - 7 - Good in the air, after a shaky start, and would have impressed any suitors watching in the stands

Liam Lawrence - 6 - Looks unfit. Whether he needs games to gain match fitness or rest to get fit is the riddle Pulis is posed with. Could do with a month away to get some confidence at a Championship side if we can get another winger in.

Matthew Etherington - 8 - Another all action display from the left winger. Capped off a performance full of crosses, pace and skill with a superbly taken free kick that would have beaten most keepers.

Dean Whitehead - 8(Man of the Match) - Another excellent performance full of tougfh tackling, hard running, tight marking, tidy passing and now...forward running. Has had a hard time off the fans but is growing into the role asked of him in a TP midfield amd his game is developing each game

Rory Delap - 7 - A couple of assists from throwins will ensure they are hurled in from all angles on Tuesday night and kept it simple when he had the ball at his feet. Gave away too many silly, needless fouls though, something that is getting too frequent

James Beattie - 6 - Couple of good haeders won but didn't get involved enough at all and never looked like scoring. Way off form and full fitness and maybe he, ala Lawrence, needs a confidence boosting month at a Championship club as his frustartion showed when he was subbed

Ricardo Fuller  - 8 - Best performance for weeks and although it was against lower league opposition it was encouraging with the fact of how he played on the shoulde rof the last defender and worked the channels well. Ended his long goal drought and looked a changed man, full of new found confidence. Bring on Fulham!

Subs

Steve Simonsen - 6 - Had basically nothing to do. Looked indecisive on the couple of crosses that came his way but other than that he was able to stand, unfortunately for him, freezing in the icy conditions

Tuncay  - 7 - A great cameo. Full of tricks and skills to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats with the game sewn up. Will more than likely be brought back in on Tuesday, hopefully with Fuller, and he seems to be growing in confidence by the week

Mama Sidibe - 6 - Didn't really do much as the game was won, and attentions turned to Tuesday, by the time he came on