We rate the players in the game between Stoke and Tottenham at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

By Abhishek Mehrotra

Stoke

Thomas Sorensen - 6

Both the goals he conceded came from unstoppable strikes. Was never troubled otherwise with most shots directed straight at him.

Danny Higginbotham - 5.5

Kept Peter Crouch quiet - never allowing the English striker to get any clear headers or space on the turf. Could not cope with the Crouch and Gudjohnsen combo though and that ultimately hurt Stoke.

Abdoulaye Faye - 4

Pulled off some great tackles against Gareth Bale, especially in the first half but was shrugged off too easily by Gudjohnsen in the lead up to Spurs' first goal. Should have been more attentive in the second half when a square ball from Assou-Ekotto was allowed to drift more than halfway through the penatly box before Niko Kranjcar blasted it in.

Danny Collins - 5.5

Was full of verve and enthusiasm in the first half, virtually shutting off any attack from the right but got tired as Spurs pressed in the second. His weariness allowed Kranjcar to loosen the shackles and start dictating terms from the right.

Robert Huth - 6

Was tested to the limit by the energetic Gareth Bale and kept the winger quiet through a combination of well-timed tackles and some good old wrestling moves. Struggled to keep up with the Welshman on the break but was helped by the central defenders.

Rory Delap - 6.5

His throws did not have quite the same impact that we have become used to. The sending off of Whitehead meant that he had to play in a more narrow role. Did his defensive job manfully and was crucial in repelling Tottenham when they went on the rampage early on in the second half.

Glenn Whelan - 6

Tried his level best to make up for Stoke's one man disadvantage and did a good job of it.

Matthew Etherington - 5.5

Was incisive on the left when he was playing as an out and out winger, with some precise deliveries into the box. Had to take on some defensive responsibility in the absence of Whitehead and faded away as an attacking threat.

Dean Whitehead - 3

Played an important role in keeping the talented Tottenham midfield under control but picked up two yellow cards in the process which handicapped his team for a large part of the match.

Dave Kitson - 7

Played well in a supporting role for Ricardo Fuller. Reacted the fastest on most set-pieces and got some good flick-ons to threaten the Spurs goal. Won the penalty that allowed Stoke to equalise.

Ricardo Fuller - 4

He might be slippery as a wet bar of soap but Michael Dawson handled him with great assurance. Struggled to carve any clear-cut opportunities for himself.

Subs

Mamady Sidibe - n.a

Tuncay Sanli - n.a

Tottenham

Gomes - 7.5

Was assured in a penalty box that got heavily crowded every time Delap got the ball. Punched with confidence and came out quickly to snuff out any dangerous balls.

Sebastien Bassong - 4

Had a tough time controlling the buzzing Kitson. The ginger haired striker was Stoke's most threatening player and part of it was down to Bassong's failure to control him.

Michael Dawson - 7

This was a game made for him and the tall defender did not disappoint - crunching into takcles with a relish and more crucially, proving himself to be really strong in the air. Kept Fuller quiet and that is no mean feat.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto - 3

Provided entertainment by getting into a brawl with teammate Vedran Corluka but did not offer much from a purely footballing perspective. Decided that fighting with Corluka was not enough and promptly bundled Kitson over in the penalty box to give away a penalty. Made up somewhat with a cross that found the back of the net via Niko Kranjcar.

Vedran Corluka - 3.5

Had a disappointing game on the right flank. His passes seemed to be aimless at times and he could not cope with Stoke's rapid closing down. Did not get forward very often - which left Kranjcar a little isolated on the right.

Younes Kaboul - 6

Adapted well in an unfamiliar position. Was quietly effective as the holding midfielder, mopping up loose balls and helping out his defence every time Stoke came forward.

Luka Modric - 4

Was crowded out in midfield by Stoke and did not get the chance to show any of his vaunted dribbling skills. Just could not get the passing game going with his midfield compatriot. Did play a crucial role in getting Whitehead sent off - his quick feet drawing a mistimed challenge from the midfielder.

Gareth Bale - 7.5

Was the most lively player on the pitch for Tottenham. Threatened Stoke down the left - and drew numerous fouls from Robert Huth. Helped Tottenham release Stoke's stranglehold by giving Spurs some breathing space in the wide areas.

Niko Kranjcar - 6.5

Suffered the same fate as his Croation teammate, Modric. Never really got the chance to influence proceedings from the right hand side in the first half. Gradually came into his own in the second, linked up well with Gudjohnsen and finished the game on a high with a violent strike that restored Spurs' lead.

Roman Payvluchenko - n.a

Picked up an injury early on in the game and never looked like the striker who has terrrorised defences in recent times. Was subbed in the first half.

Peter Crouch - 3

Did not see much of the ball at all in the first half - and his beanpole presence in defence did not deter Stoke too much. Looked a different player once Gudjohnsen came on to partner him in attack. Played some great one-twos with the former Barcelona player and assisted in Spurs opening goal.

Subs

Eidur Gudjohnsen - 8.5

His introduction was crucial in spurring Tottenham just when they looked flat and out-of-sorts against a disciplined Stoke. Unlike Pavlyuchenko, the man from Iceland played just behind Peter Crouch to serve as an important link between the midfield and the centre forward.

Jake Livermore - n.a