ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes that two sending-off incidents marred his team’s 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa Champions League.
First half strikes from Kenwyne Jones, Cameron Jerome and Ryan Shotton proved decisive for the Premiership club.
City striker Cameron Jerome was dismissed following two cautionable offences – the second of which came following an aerial challenge against Yoav Ziv.
Ziv soon following in comical circumstances. After losing his boot in a tackle near the touchline, he kicked the boot in anger and it hit the assistant-referee.
Pulis said: "I watched the game in the rugby union World Cup semi-final being spoiled by a red card and we've seen two tonight here."
Speaking about Jerome’s dismissal, Pulis said: "I didn't see a bad challenge all night - 24,000 fans have come to watch tonight and you have to show some respect to them.
"I think we have to be very careful that we don't spoil what we have got in this country, which is honest competitive people, who want to make challenges.
"That is the big thing about professional football - it is a game of challenges.
"It is not netball, where you can stand off and try to stop them without touching them.
"If we take challenging out of the game, I don't think it will be anywhere near as good as it can be."
Stoke: Sorenson, Huth (sub: Walters 76), Shawcross, Upson, Shotton, Wilson (sub: Wilkinson 61), Diao, Whitehead, Etherington (sub: Palacios 79), Jones, Jerome. Subs not used: Nash, Whelan, Delap, Crouch
Booked: Huth, Jerome
Sent off:Jerome, Micha, Colautti
Scorers: Jones 12, Jerome Shotton
Maccabi: Haimov, Saban, Pavicevic, Israelivitch (sub: Micha) , Harris, Yeyni, Dahan, Puncec, Atar (sub: Colautti), Konate. Subs not used: Levy, Vered, Dabbur, Lugasi
Booked: Micha 75, Colautti
Sent off: Ziv