Bryan Ruiz scores with his hand! But the ref disallows it- I guess they don't approve of that sort of thing in England.
He seems to have a bit of freedom to move around when they attack, but when they defend he's slotting into the LCM spot in a 4-5-1 Nzonzi has a gash on his nose and seems to be woozy.
I turn the game on and see Crouch and Cameron together and say " damn Crouchy hasn't scored in ages and now he's converted to a CB". Then realize they are at the wrong end of the pitch and Cameron's up top kinda sorta!! Man, it's early for me to be confused!!!
Fantastic goal by Berbatov. Hopefully Shea can adjust in the 2nd half, he just seems overwhelmed right now.
You can immediately see the difference between a Dominic Kinnear player and your typical MLS coached player. Shea has allowed at least 4 dangerous crosses from his side. He gives his man way too much space. He applies no pressure. Might as well not even be there. Next, he puts himself in spaces that make no sense offensively or defensively. If I am the EPL, I'm rubbing my hands as I watch the Houston dynamo for future prospects.
Crouch really hasn't held the ball up well or anyone else up front for Stoke for Shea to play off of ut yeah, Shea needs to tighten up his defensive play and cut those crosses down. As for Cameron, he has seemed to have problems finding the open guy to start the counter, giving the ball up in dangerous spots a couple of times.
Brek looked bad on that goal. He was really caught ball watching. I can't believe Stoke aren't down a man. I'm looking at you Nzonzi.