Player Ratings: Stoke City 3-1 Blackburn Rovers

A quiet day for the big Dane who had little to do against a Blackburn side whose main efforts on goal consisted of hopeful efforts from distance, one of which eventually beat him, but was an excellent hit.

Kept a lid on the talented Hoilett for most of the game and should be credited for an understated but fine performance.

The skipper marshaled his troops well and he had little trouble against a fairly impotent attacking effort from the visitors.

A quiet day in defence for the German up against a laboring Yakubu, but should have scored a marvelous second half chance when he could only head wide.

Assured performance considering he was out of position and contained Rochina well until the Spaniard drifted inside to score. Hard to blame him for this, though.

Back to full fitness, he was a completely different proposition to his last few games. His brilliantly whipped-in free-kick assisted Delap for Stoke’s first and was a much needed touch of quality in an affair that had lacked it severely. Replaced on 70 minutes.

A typically industrious performance from the Irish midfielder who got to the second ball well, and demonstrated a good range of passing to go with some important interceptions. His powerful strike was deflected home for 2-0.

Always a danger from his throw-ins, he caused plenty of issues in the Blackburn area. His play with the ball at his feet was tidy and simple, the perfect foil for the more creative Whelan alongside him. His header broke the deadlock as he got the better of Givet.

After a fairly anonymous first period, his excellent second half cross should have been converted by Robert Huth and then was involved as Glenn Whelan made it 2-0.

A typical workmanlike performance from Walters who was involved in everything good that his side did. From deep, from out wide or on the defender's shoulder, his stamina means he is a menace for the whole 90 minutes.

Could do nothing about the first two goals but let Peter Crouch's left foot strike underneath him from a tight angle. The former England man may be facing life in the Championship if Rovers' poor form continues.

A performance that belied his inexperience. Dealt well with Matthew Etherington, who only scored when Lowe had temporarily switched flanks with Givet. A player of promise who boasts a lot more pace than his alternative, Michel Salgado.

Made an excellent block from Peter Crouch in the second half, and the youngster was not to blame for either of the first two goals. However, he allowed Crouch in behind far too easily for the third.

Won plenty of aerial battles up against some tough opposition but was let down by his teammates for the goals and he emerged from the game with plenty of credit despite the scoreline.

Givet – The former Marseille man made a terrible job of marking Rory Delap as the Irishman ghosted in to open the scoring and he struggled at times, toiling against the pace and verve of Jermaine Pennant.

Should have been dismissed for two reckless elbows in the first half, even before giving away the free kick that led to Stoke’s opener. On the ball though, he was one of Rovers' few players to contribute any drive.

His long throws provided little penetration and his transition into a central midfielder is far from complete as he rarely had the chance to pick out the creative talents immediately in front of him. His missed header led to Stoke's first goal.

Anonymous performance from the Spaniard and on the two occasions he found himself in a good position he conspired to horribly scuff an effort wide, and then fail to find Hoilett in acres of space. He did manage to create something from nothing with an excellent strike late on but it was too little, too late.

On the rare occasions he could run with the ball, he caused problems but had far too few opportunities and grew exasperated with his team-mates in a worrying sign for Blackburn as his list of suitors grows.

The Argentine couldn't get hold of the ball in order to impart his quality on proceedings. As the gap between midfield and defence squeezed him into obscurity and a poor performance.