Family fortunes inspire Etherington

Stoke City 1 Manchester City 1

The last thing the former West Ham midfielder wanted was a family day out at the Britannia Stadium to end in defeat.

It looked that way after Micah Richards made the breakthrough for title-chasers Manchester City in the 81st minute.

But Stoke have carved out a reputation as a team who never know when they are beaten and Etherington secured a point with a fine finish, his shot too powerful for goalkeeper Joe Hart.

It meant Etherington could enjoy the post-match celebrations with his loved ones — two of his relatives were mascots.

After the 1-1 draw, he said: “It was amazing to walk out with my stepbrother and cousin. My family from Cornwall, my two daughters were here.

“So were my girlfriend, my girlfriend’s family, my dad and my mum, everyone really.

“So it was a good time to score, especially the way the game was going. It was a good feeling and I will remember it for a long time without a doubt.

“Kenwyne (Jones) got the flick on and it has come to Tuncay. He had his back to me but I still knew he had seen me. He back-heeled it straight into my path, it held up a bit in the ice and I managed to get a good strike on it.”

Etherington has a feeling of belonging in the Potteries after arriving in January 2009 following his well-documented gambling problems.

He has nothing but praise for manager Tony Pulis and chairman Peter Coates for the way they have embraced him.

Etherington said: “They welcomed me with open arms. The manager has been absolutely fantastic towards me.

“He is a great man and a great manager. I have a lot of respect for him. I owe him and Peter Coates and this football club a hell of a lot.

“The fans have been brilliant. They were singing my name at the end of the game and it gives you goose bumps.”

Pulis said: “It was a smashing goal. It was a little bit of quality from Tuncay and a great finish from Etherington.

“He has been an inspiration since joining us. He can do things other players can’t. He’s got great pace, works very hard and it is his second goal on the bounce which is lovely for us.”

Stoke should have opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Ricardo Fuller and Jones played a neat one-two. Fuller was left in the clear but steered his effort wide.

Then in the second half Jones also went close, his header being cleared off the line by James Milner.

City, however, made the breakthrough with a splendid goal from Richards, who sold a dummy to Danny Collins before finding the corner with his effort.

“A few of the boys have been saying I should learn to shoot and show a bit of creativity. I’ll be watching that one again on TV,” he quipped.

Even though Richards saw two points dropped away he believes they will remain in the mix at the top and in sight of a Champions League place.

He said: “It’s going to be really tight. It’s now a top five or six up there. It’s getting harder every year but I’m sure we’ll be all right.

“I don’t know what the panic was about.”