Stoke City had only scored one first half goal all season coming into tonight's match against Birmingham City, but when Robert Huth converted in the 44th minute, Tony Pulis's men had more than a rare first half goal. For this first time this season, the Potters take a lead into half time.
Stoke City 1-0 Birmingham City: Robert Huth Gives Potters Halftime Lead
With the exception of a few minutes in the middle of the period, Stoke has controlled the first half at the Britannia. As Brum used their possession to send fruitless passed at Nikola Zigic's head, the Blues never came close to threatening Asmir Begovic. For the rest of the half, Stoke continued to push Birmingham deeper into their own end, but unsuccessful as the clock climbed to 45, the match looked destined to reach intermission scoreless.
Then, play at after a set piece saw find Dean Whitehead at the edge of the Birmingham area, to the left of Ben Foster's goal. The Stoke midfielder laid it back to Ricardo Fuller, the Jamaican striker trying unsuccessfully from 20 yards out. When shot was blocked to Robert Huth, standing 16 yards from goal, the German defender was able to beat Foster for the match's opening goal.
Foster may have been able to do better on the shot, given the the ball went off his left foot before finding nylon. Still, it was a busy half for the Blues keeper, who had to make three first half saves.
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