Fuller and his Stoke on fire!

[Karl]

Won 3-2 (Fuller 2).

I think it was not long ago Stoke was 11, 12, 13 or 14...???
Now 4th!

[DweetSweet]

Willy Boo striking hot.....

Blackpool 2-3 Stoke

PA





Ricardo Fuller's double strike helped Stoke complete a impressive turnaround with a 3-2 win at struggling Blackpool and extend their unbeaten run to six Coca-Cola Championship games.
Fuller scored either side of Leon Cort's goal late in the first half, after Stoke had fallen behind to a rare early Blackpool strike courtesy of Michael Flynn.
Shaun Barker set up a grandstand finish at Bloomfield Road with Blackpool's second three minutes from time, but the Potters were able to hold on for a deserved away victory.
Fifth-placed Stoke went into the match on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, but it looked as though their record would be tested early on.
The Seasiders had failed to score during the opening 15 minutes of any game this season, but they went ahead through Flynn in the 13th.
Stoke failed to deal with a melee in their own box and cleared away only as far as Flynn, who crashed in a left-foot volley from the edge of area which nestled in the bottom corner.
Blackpool caused the visitors problems from the onset and Ben Burgess forced goalkeeper Steve Simonsen into a fantastic save with just seconds on the clock.
The Tangerines striker lashed an instinctive volley on target from just outside the box, but Simonsen was on hand to tip the ball over the bar.
The Potters began to heap pressure on the hosts and Ryan Shawcross went close in the 26th minute with a right-foot volley from the left channel, only to watch it trickle wide of the upright.
And Richard Cresswell went even closer a minute later when the impressive Paul Rachubka tipped his powerful drive around the post.
Andy Wilkinson was next to try his luck on the half hour, but the defender lashed his effort over the crossbar, 12 yards from goal.
Blackpool failed to provide much in the way of further attacking threat, but Wesley Hoolahan could have doubled their tally in the 33rd minute with a 20-yard drive which was blocked by Shawcross.
However, eight minutes from half-time Fuller did well to cut in from the left-hand side and strike a fierce shot past Rachubka into the roof of the net to hand Stoke the equaliser they deserved.
And when Cort connected with Liam Lawrence's cross four minutes later he was able to easily head home unmarked and complete the comeback.
Blackpool attempted to begin the second period in the same way they had started in the first and bombarded the Potters with a flurry of early efforts.
Flynn's ambitious long-range drive was blocked by Rory Delap, before Burgess shot straight at Shawcross from just next to the penalty spot.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher came the closest and produced a save out of Simonsen, but Blackpool's fate was sealed moments later when Fuller grabbed Stoke's third on the hour.
Lawrence sent the Jamaican striker clean through on goal and Fuller made no mistake in applying a classy finish into the bottom right corner.
The third goal prompted a relaxed City side to sit back and absorb Blackpool pressure, but the hosts struggled to create any meaningful chances on goal.
Flynn missed with a header after connecting with Stephen Crainey's cross and Andy Morrell saw an effort fall the wrong side of the post with 15 minutes to go.
They were thrown a lifeline in the 87th minute when Barker converted with a header from Andrew Welsh's right-sided cross, but it was too little too late as Stoke's impressive run continued.

[Mosiah]

Has he found his scoring boots?

[Tilla]

They are in play-off contention since about two weeks ago. Last game they played they were in 5th position. Hope they can continue and finish at least 2nd so they are guaranteed automatic promotion.

[Jamaica2099]

So last week it was Reggae Boy (Watford) vs Reggae Boy (Stoke) with both getting chances at goal and the game ending in a draw.
Now this week Watford loses and drop to second, while Stoke wins and move up to fourth.
At least, both are still in for promotion to the BPL, for now.
So let's hope King recovers his scoring prowess, while Fuller maintains his when the qualifiers roll around.

[Hortical]

Fuller averages about 10-15 goals a year, and this year he is likely to score 20 goals!