Jan

Stoke and Tuncay get first Premier goal of 2010

Stoke benefit from set-piece

Given that Stoke City managed to beat the big freeze and get their game versus Fulham on, it is only fitting that they scored the first English Premier League goal of 2010.

They had the ball in the net within the first two minutes but their joy was shortlived as this was chopped off.

They weren’t to be denied though, even though Danny Murphy had a free kick driven just wide before Stoke opened the scoring.

It will not be a surprise to see that Stoke scored through a set-piece and they won two great headers in the box to take the lead.

Robert Huth rose higher than all on the six yard box to send the ball spinning goalwards where Tuncay drove it past Mark Schwarzer. The Sky TV commentator thought that Huth may have scored it but Tuncay definitely got an important header on it. In fact, the ball may have drifted wide until the Turkish internationalist intervened.

Stoke are only a few points off of the relegation zone so a win is essential, although 3 points would see them into the top half of the league. It is very congested at the bottom of the English Premier League so all points are vital.

There is still a long way to go of this way game but Stoke hold a 1-0 lead thanks to the first English Premier League goal of the year.

Can Stoke rise up the table?