Stoke City Level Out Of Nothing With Dean Whitehead Header

Despite creating almost nothing, Stoke City have equalized at Old Trafford through Dean Whitehead’s goal, their first away to Manchester United in over thirty years. United had looked very comfortable since taking the lead with Chicarito’s goal, but failed to capitalize on the few half-chances they carved out. Stoke themselves had a slight opportunity shortly before Whitehead’s goal, which came five minutes after halftime, as Tuncay rose to meet Robert Huth’s cross, but failed to get enough power and proper direction on a difficult header.

In fairness to Stoke, they have been more enterprising in the beginning of the second half, but that is only compared with a pretty limp first forty-five minutes. However, they have gotten back on level terms with the hosts; Kenwyne Jones laid the ball off to Tuncay, who placed a very good cross for Whitehead, who placed a good header beyond Tomasz Kuszczak from about twelve yards out. Though it was a well-worked goal, Sir Alex Ferguson will be wondering exactly how Whitehead found himself so free in the area, despite the presence of several United defenders.