Ricardo Fuller scored twice as a weakened Arsenal side were dumped out of the FA Cup 3-1 by Stoke City.
Fuller bags a brace as Arsenal lose at The Britannia
Ricardo Fuller scored twice as a weakened Arsenal side were dumped out of the FA Cup 3-1 by Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. The Potters struck with just 68 seconds on the clock when Fuller nodded home from close range after the visitors failed to deal with Rory Delap's long throw-in. Arsenal deservedly levelled matters before half-time when Cesc Fabregas rolled a free-kick to Denilson who lashed home from the edge of the penalty area. With the game finely poised it was Stoke who scored the decisive goal when Mamady Sidibe crossed the ball for Fuller to head home on 78 minutes. The Gunners' attempts to salvage a draw disappeared when some more slack defending allowed Matthew Etherington to cross for Dean Whitehead to settle the contest. Stoke could hardly have got off to a better start, taking the lead after a minute and eight seconds when their famed long-throw tactic paid off. Delap's effort arrowed into the box, bypassing Sol Campbell at the near post, for Fuller to power a header home as Lukasz Fabianski failed to get there first with his punch.Mistakes
Arsenal struggled against Stoke's tenacious play, being quickly harassed into mistakes and losing possession. For a spell, every Stoke set-piece was a problem, while Arsenal's attacking play produced little of substance. Fuller's run on the right past Armand Traore created a good opening for Sidibe after 25 minutes, but he mis-hit a hooked shot from 12 yards out. Wandsworth-born Craig Eastmond, starting only his second first-team game, was slowly growing into the match with good positioning and effective passing from a holding role, and steadily Arsenal began to impose their passing game. One late Ryan Shawcross tackle into Fabregas' shins deserved more than just the free-kick referee Martin Atkinson awarded, and the Arsenal captain clearly made his feelings felt to the Stoke defender. Stoke might have had a penalty when Denilson caught Fuller late in the box, but referee Atkinson waved away appeals. But three minutes before the break, Arsenal were level. Fabregas' short free-kick square to Denilson caught Stoke napping. It resulted in a low drive that clipped two defenders before flashing past Thomas Sorensen into the bottom corner.Discussions
The Danish goalkeeper, who has been in discussions with boss Tony Pulis over his future ahead of David James' imminent arrival, could have done more to keep the ball out. Arsenal should have made a greater impact after equalising, but they were being constantly pushed back. And it took a brave interception from Francis Coquelin, a yard out, to stop Etherington from scoring on the far post after 64 minutes. Then Delap missed his connection in the six-yard box after another Etherington run and cross. Arsenal then threw on the big guns, with Andrey Arshavin, Eduardo and Aaron Ramsey replacing Emmanuel-Thomas, Theo Walcott and Coquelin in the 70th minute. The new faces made an initial difference, with quick passing moves that stretched Stoke's defence. But Stoke responded with greater resilience, and were back in front after 78 minutes. Sidibe surged down the right and fired over a cross that evaded Campbell and was headed home by a gleeful Fuller as the home support erupted. Stoke sent on Tuncay and Salif Diao for Fuller and Delap, and grabbed their third after 85 minutes when Whitehead finished off more good work from wideman Etherington. Danny Pugh came on for Etherington in stoppage-time, as the Stoke fans took great delight in taunting the beaten Gunners.| Stoke City | Team Statistics | Arsenal |
| 3 | Goals | 1 |
| 1 | 1st Half Goals | 1 |
| 5 | Shots on Target | 2 |
| 1 | Shots off Target | 3 |
| 0 | Blocked Shots | 4 |
| 7 | Corners | 9 |
| 22 | Fouls | 8 |
| 1 | Offsides | 0 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 56.5 | Passing Success | 76.7 |
| 21 | Tackles | 18 |
| 90.5 | Tackles Success | 83.3 |
| 33.7 | Possession | 66.3 |
| 49 | Territorial Advantage | 51 |