The smile was back on the face of Stoke manager Tony Pulis as goals from Danny Higginbotham and Matthew Etherington gave his side victory against Bolton at the Britannia Stadium. Before kick-off Pulis was shaken by the news his proposed move for Demba Ba for a reported £7.1 million had broke down after Hoffenheim's Senegal striker failed a medical.

But the manager's mood soon have changed thanks to a comfortable win.

Even though they were bolstered by the return of midfielder Stuart Holden, Bolton were always second best as they slumped to their fifth successive defeat on the road. Tuncay, who posted his top 10 goals on Facebook this week, proved influential.

Stoke made the breakthrough in the 37th minute following his corner. Bolton failed to clear their lines and Higginbotham took advantage, marking his return to the side by forcing it home at the back post. In the 62nd minute then, Tuncay sent Matthew Etherington racing clear and the winger was tripped by Knight as he broke into the box and won a penalty.

Etherington dusted himself down and although Jaaskelainen deflected the ball onto the post it trickled in.