Justice is served as Potters advance

STOKE booked their first FA Cup semi-final appearance for 39 years after bouncing back from a controversial West Ham equaliser yesterday.

The Potters’ first-half dominance was reflected in centre-back Robert Huth’s eighth goal of the season, but Frederic Piquionne’s clear handball was missed by referee Mike Jones as the striker went on to level.

When former Hammer Matt Etherington missed a penalty seconds into the second half it seemed it was not to be Stoke’s day but Danny Higginbotham drilled a free-kick through the wall which goalkeeper Robert Green could only push onto a post and into the net.

The hosts made all the running early on but having to survive an onslaught in the closing stages. Stoke boss Tony Pulis was relieved his side turned the game around.

“We have been very unfortunate this year, we have copped quite a few (bad decisions) in the league,” he said.

“We were very good for 25 minutes and then when they get their first shot on goal from that it was disappointing.

“From where I was standing it looked a stone-banker handball.

“Matty came out in the second half and missed a penalty and that knocks you down again but great credit to the players — for a lesser team that would have affected them.”

Stoke came out all guns blazing from the kick-off, creating two good chances in the opening 90 seconds.

Jermaine Pennant created both, Kenwyne Jones failing to connect with the first cross before Etherington connected but was foiled by Green.

It was no surprise when Stoke took the lead in the 12th minute but West Ham will kick themselves after they allowed an unmarked Huth to head home a Rory Delap long throw.

The visitors were in desperate need of a route back into the game and they were literally handed it on the half-hour. Thomas Hitzlsperger’s ball over the top saw Piquionne get beyond Huth but the striker blatantly used his upper arm to control the pass before lobbing it over Thomas Sorensen.

Stoke were outraged the goal was allowed to stand, but it was not without consequence for the scorer, who soon limped off injured.

Within 13 seconds of the restart Stoke were presented with the opportunity to go ahead again when Scott Parker fouled Etherington as he tricked his way into the penalty area.

The former West Ham midfielder picked himself up but did not place the spot-kick far enough into the corner and Green dived to his left to save.

Stoke continued to look more threatening and when referee Jones eventually did spot a handball, Cole blocking Pennant’s free-kick, it proved to be equally as significant as the one he missed in the first half — and this time to Stoke’s benefit.

With the ball teed up just inches from the edge of the area Higginbotham smashed a low shot through the wall which Green could not stop.

Substitute Robbie Keane went close before Matthew Upson’s late header crashed against the crossbar as Stoke hung on to reach only the fourth FA Cup semi-final in their history, where they will meet Bolton. Pulis, however, will not take the Trotters lightly. He said: “I think it is being disrespectful to Bolton to say it is the draw we wanted, we just wanted to win today. We will respect them and we know it will be a tough game.”

STOKE: Sorensen; Higginbotham Huth, Shawcross, Whelan; Wilson; Pennant (Whitehead 81), Delap, Etherington (Collins 90), Jones (Fuller 90), Walters.

WEST HAM: Green; Tomkins, Upson, Da Costa, Bridge; Parker, Hitzlsperger, Noble (Hines 81), Piquionne (Spector 35); Cole, Obinna (Keane 68).

Referee: M Jones.