A directionless Stoke City went down helplessly as a determined Tottenham Hotspur side marched over them with relative ease.
The Best And The Worst Stoke City Players Rated From Their Humiliating Defeat Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Lee Grant (5.5/10)- Surely a day to forget for the Stoke goalkeeper. Although he couldn’t do much about all the goals, the deflection looked a harsh one and broke his spirit early in the game. He would be hoping a better defensive display from his backline next game.
Phil Bardsley (5/10)- While it will be unfair to pinpoint him particularly from the faltering defence, Bardsley let down his team by his pathetic positioning and Stoke City had to pay the price.
Ryan Shawcross (5.5/10)- Fans expected a more encouraging display from their skipper but honestly, the experienced centre-half was simply outpaced and at times outwitted by an energetic and determined Spurs side.
Bruno Martins-Indi (6/10)- The Dutch enforcer looked the more composed and potent among the central duo but the overall display of defence left him with little to do at the back but stare helplessly.
Erik Pieters (5/10)- Didn’t look any different than the rest of the back four although his display improved much more during the second half of the game.
Glenn Whelan (4.5/10)- A nightmarish display by the 33-year-old Irish international. The manager made a wrong decision banking on his experience, as the weakest link in the middle of the park made Stoke suffer badly. He was subbed off late in the 82nd minute, but by then all the damage was done.
Charlie Adam (4.5/10)- He was nothing different to Whelan. Looked slow and helpless at the middle of the park and was often outfoxed by Tottenham Hotspur while moving forward.
Marco Arnautovic (5.5/10)- Struggled hugely in the attacking and could hardly make things happen as the midfield was sleeping most of the game and he saw very little of the ball. Tottenham Hotspur’s impenetrable defence didn’t help his cause either.
Joe Allen (6.5/10)- It is difficult to carry the mantle of the best player in the team on days like this. The Wales international, who is also their highest scorer, was definitely the positive aspect in an otherwise lost Stoke City team.
Ramadan Sobhi (6/10)- Apart from Allen, he was the only bright spark in the Stoke team. Or at least he was battling hard to make things happen up top. Shaqiri’s injury has paved the way for him and he has been quite impressive since his break into the first team. There were some glimpses of quality from the Egyptian international.
Peter Crouch (5/10)- The experienced forward hardly looked settled with his former club’s tempo and after Hugo Lloris made a great save from his attempt, you just knew that it was not his day.
