Pulis proud but Potters bow out in Valencia

Stoke manager Tony Pulis reflected on a thrilling seven-month adventure to the corners of the continent after his side’s Europa League run was finally brought to an end by Valencia in the last 32 last night.

After beating Hajduk Split in Croatia in their first game on August 4, and coming through a group containing Besiktas, Dynamo Kiev and Maccabi Tel Aviv, Stoke found Champions League regulars Valencia a step too far.

Defeat at home last week left the Potters with a mountain to climb and they might have managed it had Kenwyne Jones taken one of two glorious opportunities, but he fluffed his lines and Jonas’ 24th-minute goal earned Los Che a 1-0 win on the night and a 2-0 win on aggregate.