by Michael Baggaley
michael.baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

STOKE City keeper Thomas Sorensen said the team will look back proudly on their FA Cup run – once the disappointment of yesterday’s quarter-final defeat eases.

City’s hopes of a first semi-final in the competition since 1972 ended in frustration after goals from Frank Lampard and John Terry condemned them to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Reaching the last eight, after disposing of York City, Arsenal and Manchester City, was no small achievement, he added – proud that Stoke had not gone down without a fight.

City had chances through Mama Sidibe, Dean Whitehead and Tuncay before Lampard’s 35th-minute strike gave the home side the lead.

He said: “We knew that coming to Stamford Bridge was the hardest draw we could have had, but we didn’t come here thinking we were just making up the numbers. We gave it a go and did our best.”

City had early chances through Mama Sidibe, Dean Whitehead and Tuncay, and Sorensen added: “Had we gone 1-0 up, it would have put pressure on them. They would have been a bit edgy, especially after losing to Manchester City last week.

“But if we look back on the cup this year, we can definitely be proud of what we have done.

“We knew we needed a bit of luck to go through, but I am sure Chelsea will say they didn’t just brush us aside.”

Both Frank Lampard’s 35th-minute opener and John Terry’s 67th-minute header took deflections on their way in, and Sorensen said: “We lacked a bit of luck. We had chances in the first half and, at this level and against Chelsea, we needed to take them.

“But they scored from two deflected goals. I was right behind the second one and could have caught it, but it was just those small things that decided the game today.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we had a go and I thought we played some good football.

“But we maybe lacked that little bit of quality at certain times that Chelsea had.
“But if you look back at the games we have played, Chelsea are more or less the only side who have been able to cope with our long throws and set plays. You have to give them credit for that.

“So we’re not going to Wembley, but now it’s the league and no distractions.”