Player Ratings: Stoke City 0-1 Valencia

Made a tremendous save from Jonas 20 minutes in after the attacker collected the ball in the box and delightful carried the ball in the air before striking at the Bosnian ‘keeper. The Bosnian wasn’t so lucky when tested once more, this time from distance with Topal striking from 30 yards out with an effort that sailed past the ‘keeper who had no chance in preventing the opener. Was lucky not to concede a second after the break after Feghouli’s short-range effort banged off the posted and struck the stopper’s feet on the way out.

The German did not look particularly confident in dealing with the Valencia attackers as soon as the visitors got their act together and was a main culprit in not closing down Topal after the Turk rocketed in Los Che’s opener from distance. Struggled to deal with the pace of the visitor’s skill on the ball and their pressing attacks, but looked better in the second-half thanks to Stoke’s willingness to get back in the game.

The Potters’ captain looked a bit shaky when the visitors were on the attack and allowed the La Liga men to pile on the pressure numerous times and were often successful in getting through the Potters’ defenses.

Not much came the fullback’s way with most of the action coming centrally from Valencia, but did deal adequately with Mathieu when required.

Frequently undone by Feghouli’s footwork out on the flanks and sometimes in dangerous moments that saw Valencia have men in the box to mount a capable attack.

Tried to show up the skilful opposition with some daring moves of his own down his right flank, some succeeding, others not so much. His crossing wasn’t accurate enough when able to get the ball in the box and didn’t get back enough.

Had many an opportunity to threaten from his long throws that should have been something awkward to deal with for the visitors, but instead couldn’t find the accuracy into the box and his outfield game was also a little lackluster.

Like Palacios had a good opening few minutes, but as the Valencia wide men got into the action on a regular basis, Stoke’s left winger has little chance on the ball and didn’t do a decent enough job to track back and help out defensively.

The Honduran looked like the man to have in the middle after the opening few minutes after passing accurately and efficiently to the frontmen, but after Valencia got into the game the midfielder struggled to keep a grip on the ball, losing possession too many times and let the visitors knock play around him. Was replaced with less than an hour gone.

Almost offered a surprise opener in the early moments of the game after bursting through a poor Valencia defense and shooting just wide. Offered little else up front and didn’t get much goal action thanks to stubborn defending from Valencia.

Gave the Valencia defense something to think about, but the former Liverpool man didn’t do enough to punish the visitors with his tall frame and tricky movement and was eventually subbed.

With Stoke having little bite in its attack from normal play, the Valencia ‘keeper was faced with a barrage of set-piece tests that the Spaniard dealt with expertly despite the pressure from the Potters’ towering players. Made a great save in the second half to deny the hosts an equalizer and topped off a commanding display.

The defender was tenacious in the challenge and although he looked uncomfortable at times playing the ball out of the back, the Frenchman kept calm and prevented Stoke getting through, leaving the club with little more than set-pieces to threaten from.

Didn’t have much trouble from Etherington, with the winger barely getting in the action which let the fullback advance with the ball frequently and fed Feghouli constantly to get the ball rolling for Valencia.

Came very close to allowing Stoke an opener with just a matter of seconds gone, as the Spaniard slipped on the wet surface to let Walters through and free to shoot from the right channel. However, the defender recovered and made a tough partnership with Rami to deal with for Stoke.

Playing high on the left, the Frenchman had quite a task ahead of him in terms of dealing with Jermaine Pennant. But the English winger struggled to get past his opposite number, with just the odd cross penetrating the Valencia defense.

Worked well defensively as well as in the middle, getting the ball out of trouble and setting up the attackers ahead.

Was orchestrating play very effectively before the Turkish midfielder got a sight of goal. Striking from around 30 yards out and with the freedom to do so, Topal blasted the ball as far into Begovic’s top corner as he possibly could and his effort was a sight to behold.

The winger dangerous all evening, pacing up his right-flank constantly and getting the ball into the box, usually after some delightful footwork.

The lone striker was another of the visitors' quieter men and didn’t see much goal action, but made sure to help out in attacks and keep the ball moving between the forwards.

Had Valencia’s best chance before the opener after collecting the ball in the box and slalomed it around the Stoke defense before sending a shot Begovic’s way, with the ‘keeper forced to make a reflex save to deflect the effort out of play. The attacker was frequently involved and supported Aduriz well.

Evaded Pennant well and kept the ball moving, but was one of Valencia’s less prominent players.