Stoke rout Bolton 5-0 to reach FA Cup Final
Ferguson says Scholes suffered ‘red-mist moment’.
LONDON:
Stoke City stormed into their first ever FA Cup final after a first-half goal spree inspired a 5-0 win against Bolton.
Stoke scored courtesy Matthew Etherington, Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones in the space of 19 minutes in the first half. Jonathan Walters capped off a perfect day with two more goals after the interval.
Etherington was delighted at his team’s performance, relishing the opportunity to play in a rare final.
“We scored some great goals,” said Etherington. “We’re used to being the underdogs. We’ll be the underdogs in the final as well. Bring it on.”
Stoke took the lead in the 11th minute with Etherington firing back a shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen. In the 17th minute Huth fired in another shot past Jaaskelainen. Jones then punished Bolton defending in the 30th minute and Walters scored in the 68th minute. Stoke finished off with Walters clipping home an Andy Wilkinson sliced finish.
‘Scholes’ send-off justified’
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Paul Scholes suffered one of his “red-mist moments” after the midfielder was dismissed in his team’s FA Cup exit against Manchester City on Saturday.
Scholes saw red for an ugly lunge on Pablo Zabaleta’s thigh. Afterwards, Ferguson attributed the send-off to his notorious tendency to fly into rash tackles.
“We’ve seen over his career Paul has had unbelievable moments,” said Ferguson. “He has his red-mist moments — he caught the boy on the thigh.”
Meanwhile, defender Rio Ferdinand apologised for his confrontation with City’s Mario Balotelli after the match ended.
The defender was upset when the striker flaunted his badge at opposition fans and also winked sarcastically at Ferdinand. He took to his Twitter account to explain his actions.
“At the final whistle, go to your own fans and enjoy, not opposing fans,” posted Ferdinand. “If I offended anyone, I apologise.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2011.
Stoke City stormed into their first ever FA Cup final after a first-half goal spree inspired a 5-0 win against Bolton.
Stoke scored courtesy Matthew Etherington, Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones in the space of 19 minutes in the first half. Jonathan Walters capped off a perfect day with two more goals after the interval.
Etherington was delighted at his team’s performance, relishing the opportunity to play in a rare final.
“We scored some great goals,” said Etherington. “We’re used to being the underdogs. We’ll be the underdogs in the final as well. Bring it on.”
Stoke took the lead in the 11th minute with Etherington firing back a shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen. In the 17th minute Huth fired in another shot past Jaaskelainen. Jones then punished Bolton defending in the 30th minute and Walters scored in the 68th minute. Stoke finished off with Walters clipping home an Andy Wilkinson sliced finish.
‘Scholes’ send-off justified’
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Paul Scholes suffered one of his “red-mist moments” after the midfielder was dismissed in his team’s FA Cup exit against Manchester City on Saturday.
Scholes saw red for an ugly lunge on Pablo Zabaleta’s thigh. Afterwards, Ferguson attributed the send-off to his notorious tendency to fly into rash tackles.
“We’ve seen over his career Paul has had unbelievable moments,” said Ferguson. “He has his red-mist moments — he caught the boy on the thigh.”
Meanwhile, defender Rio Ferdinand apologised for his confrontation with City’s Mario Balotelli after the match ended.
The defender was upset when the striker flaunted his badge at opposition fans and also winked sarcastically at Ferdinand. He took to his Twitter account to explain his actions.
“At the final whistle, go to your own fans and enjoy, not opposing fans,” posted Ferdinand. “If I offended anyone, I apologise.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2011.