Spurs smiling as Stoke fume at Foy

Gareth Bale's stunning strike gave Tottenham a 2-1 Premier League win at Stoke, but only after a controversial decision from referee Chris Foy.

Last Updated: 21/08/10 at 17:25 Post Comment

Bale: Celebrates with Jenas

Bale: Celebrates with Jenas

Foy found himself at the centre of another goalline debate as Spurs got a boost ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg at home to Young Boys on Wednesday.

A goal down in that game, Harry Redknapp's side secured the points at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday thanks to a brace from Bale.

In between his efforts, Stoke equalised through Ricardo Fuller and thought they had drawn level for the second time in the dying embers of the game. However, Foy allowed play to continue even though a shot from Jon Walters, on his debut, appeared to go over the line.

He ignored all the protests and despite an encouraging second-half display, Stoke suffered their second successive defeat.

They almost took the lead inside two minutes after good work by Walters following his arrival from Ipswich in midweek.

He made space down the right and delivered the ball into the area. However Michael Dawson made a crucial interception with Fuller ready to pounce.

Tottenham made the breakthrough in the 20th minute with Bale at the heart of things. The Wales full-back cracked in a shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Peter Crouch was first to react but his effort came back off Ryan Shawcross. However, to the Stoke skipper's horror, his clearance went straight to Bale who headed home.

Stoke drew level in the 25th minute with Tottenham guilty of poor defending. Younes Kaboul directed Matthew Etherington's corner into the area and Fuller clipped a shot beyond Heurelho Gomes.

Tottenham regrouped and regained their lead in the 30th minute with a stunning second goal from Bale.

Aaron Lennon began the move and got beyond the defence before lofting the ball into the Welshman's path. Bale showed superb technique to crack in a volley from the left that flew over Sorensen and high into the right hand corner of the net.

Tottenham were spraying the ball about well and Bale released Lennon. The winger however took a touch too many and Stoke were able to clear their lines.

Fuller then carved out an opening for himself with a quick turn on the edge of the area which left him with only Gomes to beat.

The Jamaican, though, failed to get enough power on his shot and the goalkeeper made a comfortable save.

Bale then showed a fine turn of pace in first half stoppage time to get to the byline and whip the ball across. But Sorensen twice denied Jermaine Jenas from adding to Spurs' lead.

With Stoke still finding it hard to break the visitors down Pulis introduced Tuncay Sanli in the 64th minute for the ineffective Glenn Whelan.

Then Lennon split the home defence to find Wilson Palacios. He drove the ball across the face of the area but Danny Collins scrambled it away.

Tuncay almost pulled Stoke level with a shot from 25 yards that took a huge deflection. But Gomes somehow got up and turned it over the bar.

Tuncay was then wasteful, heading wide at the far post from Etherington's corner before Shawcross fired a close range shot over the post in a good spell of pressure by Stoke.

Tottenham then hit back with Tom Huddlestone spraying the ball out to Bale. He was on course for a hat-trick but with only Sorensen to beat saw his effort blocked.

Fuller tested Gomes from close range in the 85th minute before the match ended in chaos. Robert Huth's header was punched away by the goalkeeper and Walters was first to react but all their protests were in vain.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Sunday, 19 May 2013
16:00
Chelsea 2-1 Everton Report
Liverpool 1-0 QPR Report
Man City 2-3 Norwich Report
Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal Report
Southampton 1-1 Stoke City Report
Swansea 0-3 Fulham Report
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland Report
West Brom 5-5 Man Utd Report
West Ham 4-2 Reading Report
Wigan 2-2 A Villa Report

Barclays Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Man Utd 38 43 89
2 Man City 38 32 78
3 Chelsea 38 36 75
4 Arsenal 38 35 73
5 Tottenham 38 20 72
6 Everton 38 15 63
7 Liverpool 38 28 61
8 West Brom 38 -4 49
9 Swansea 38 -4 46
10 West Ham 38 -8 46
11 Norwich 38 -17 44
12 Fulham 38 -10 43
13 Stoke City 38 -11 42
14 Southampton 38 -11 41
15 A Villa 38 -22 41
16 Newcastle 38 -23 41
17 Sunderland 38 -13 39
18 Wigan 38 -26 36
19 Reading 38 -30 28
20 QPR 38 -30 25

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

Footer 365

Bastian Schweinsteiger aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger aims to treat Wembley to footballing perfection in the Champions League final.

Pardew to remain at the helm

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will remain in charge at St James' Park after holding talks about his future with owner Mike Ashley.

LB: Toffees won't come unstuck

Leighton Baines insists the upheaval of losing manager David Moyes to Manchester United after 11 years in charge will not derail Everton.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved