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Tony Pulis

The Potters were beaten 1-nil by Manchester City in their first ever FA Cup Final.

Yaya Toure did the damage with a late goal at Wembley but the Britannia Stadium outfit can be proud of their cup run, according to Pulis.

”I am very proud of what the players have done this season and they can hold their heads high, even though they are desperately disappointed.” said the Welshman.

Stoke made their first final in 39 years and have secured a place in the Europa League next season after their cup exploits.

But he gave credit to their final opponents and conceded that they were well beaten: ”There are no arguments that they were the better side on the day and they deserved to win.”

Few would argue with Pulis’ opinion as Roberto Mancini’s side were kept at bay by an inspired goalkeeping display from Stoke’s Thomas Sorensen.

The Danish international ‘keeper broke down in tears in the dressing room after the final whistle as Stoke’s dreams were shattered.

The 34-year-old second choice stopper said it might be the last chance he gets to lift any silverware: “There was a stage in the second half when I thought it could be our day,”

He added: “I’ve been looking forward to this game all my career, I wanted to win it so desperately, but I don’t think I could have done anything more on the day.”

But a dejected Sorensen still reserved praise for the ”tremendous character” of the club.

The Potters have the opportunity to bounce back tomorrow night as they play their Cup Final conquerors again at Eastlands in their rearranged Premier League game.

Toure gave Manchester City the lead in the 74th minute after Stoke failed to clear their lines. Potters’  keeper Thomas Sorensen stood no chance as Toure’s left foot shot was rifled into the back of the net.

Stoke’s first clear cut chance came just after the hour mark after Kenwyne Jones was put one-on-one with keeper Joe Hart but the England number one stood up tall to save Jones’ shot.

Stoke grew in confidence compared to the first half but Man City were also dangerous going forward. However Toure’s goal was a sucker-punch.

Despite dominating the first half Manchester City just could not find the breakthrough. Tevez and Kompany forced Sorensen into some good saves but David Silva wasted the best chance when he fired over.

Stoke chances were and far between with Joe Hart rarely tested.

Robert Huth was lucky to stay on the pitch after elbowing Balotelli in an off the ball incident which was not seen by the officials.

However, Huth did receive the first yellow card after a foul on Micah Richards.

Stoke’s loyal fans sang their hearts out all game but it was Blue Moon that truimphed over Delilah at the final whistle.

Despite losing, the Potters will play in the Europa League next season but Stoke City’s long wait for another major trophy continues.

FA Cup (Picture by Flawka)

From a Rory Delap throw-in, to fan reaction across Stoke-on-Trent and Wembley.

StaffsLive will keep you up to date with all the action as it happens.

Follow our reporters as they update you on all of the match action.

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A dedicated team from Churchill China, based in Sandyford, hand-crafted the trophy, putting in over 150 hours to get the piece finished.

The Football Association sent the real FA Cup, accompanied by two bodyguards, to Sandyford so that detailed photographs and measurements could be taken to ensure an exact replica was created.

Head modeller Neville Kettle, who fronted the team, told Staffslive: “Getting hold of the trophy was fantastic – it is a once in a life-time opportunity to hold the FA Cup.

“It was a real team effort. There was five us who worked on it, each having our own section to do. We worked on it around the clock, if we didn’t there is no way we would have got it finished in time.”

The trophy, worth in the region of £6,000, secured the seal of approval from Stoke City players who got their hands on the replica before breezing past Bolton Wanderers 5-0 in the semi final.

It was an extra special moment for Neville as a lifelong Stoke City supporter: “My first game was back in 1962, Stoke against Ipswich and we won 9-1.

“I predicted a Manchester City against Stoke City final from the beginning, with Stoke winning 3-1.”

The replica can now be viewed by the public at the Churchill China factory shop.

Watch the full report:

Gareth Owen

By Francis Pitt: Port Vale’s new player-coach Gareth Owen revealed the return of Micky Adams was the main reason for his dramatic u-turn away from rivals Crewe Alex.

Owen had all but signed for Vale’s League Two neighbours, but Adams’ sudden return and the offer of a new player-coach role was too good to resist.

Speaking exclusively to StaffsLive, Owen said: “Micky is the main factor I decided to stay at the club.

“The opportunity that he’s given me to combine playing with some coaching is the reason I am staying at the club.”

And Owen believes with Adam back at the helm, the team can gain promotion in 2011-12.

“You’ve only got to look at the first half of last season to see what this squad can achieve,” he added.

“We are all disappointed that we did not go on to achieve promotion, but hopefully we can go that one step further now that Micky is in charge.

“Promotion is the minimum target for next season, that’s what we will set out to do. That was the target at the start of last season and nothing will change for next season.”

Listen to the full interview with Owen:

Rumour that Adams had re-signed for the Valiants had emerged on popular fan website onevalefan late on May 12, and this was confirmed by a statement from the club earlier today (May 13).

Adams left the Vale in December to join his boyhood club, Sheffield United, but was dismissed from his position after the Blades were relegated from the Championship.

The three year deal commits Adams to the club until 2014, and in a statement on the club’s website said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to come back to Vale Park and hopefully finish the job I had started here.”

Former Captain Owen has re-signed for Port Vale with a two-year deal.  Adams said: “I believe that Gareth is an asset to the club and I am pleased that he has agreed to stay at Port Vale in a coaching role, as well as part of the first-team squad.”

More to Follow

Potters players at Stoke train station

By James Drakeford & Natasha Kaur: Stoke City are en route to Wembley after heading out from Stoke-on-Trent railway station via the First Class lounge.

Players looked relaxed and happy as they prepare to put on a first class performance of their own when they play Manchester City in the club’s first ever FA Cup final.

Injury doubts Robert Huth and Matthew Etherington were among the squad heading to London tonight (May 12).

They both looked well as they departed the bus at around 7.30pm to catch a first class train to London.

StaffsLive understands Huth was sprinting at Clayton Wood training ground earlier, which could be a positive sign.

Stoke City had hoped to keep their departure low-key to keep focused on the task ahead.

But a small number of fans had caught wind of the plans and gathered at the station tonight in the hope of catching a glimpse of their heroes.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis and the team will be staying in a hotel near Luton for the next two nights to prepare for the big day.

The accident happened between the Wallbridge Drive junction and the Sunnyhills Road junction, close to Leek Westwood Golf Club, at about 7.15am today (May 12).

The Baker’s coach was taking schoolchildren to Reaseheath College, Nantwich. No one was hurt, but police had to redirect traffic away from the accident.

Police are warning of delays in both directions.

The Environmental Agency was called in to put sand on the spillage and to see whether diesel had leaked into the nearby River Churnet, but they later said there was no risk of contamination.

The road has now reopened.

Micky Adams

The Blades fired Adams on May 9 after just five months in charge.

Reports suggest he would be offered a three-year contract by the Valiants after a meeting with chairman Bill Bratt yesterday  (May 11).

But a spokesperson for the club told StaffsLive although Adams had spoken to Bratt, no contract talks have taken place due to unresolved issues with Sheffield United.

Adams was on a two-and-a-half year deal with United,  the club he supported as a boy.

Marc Richards told StaffsLive exclusively that he would be delighted if Adams returned to the club, and reports are emerging that defender Gareth Owen has changed his decision to leave the club because Adams could be returning.