Pulis thrilled with season start

Tony Pulis could not hide his delight at Stoke City’s start to the season after they defeated Fulham 2-0 to climb to seventh in the table.

Two late goals from Jonathan Walters and Rory Delap saw the Potters secure their third league win of the season.

Combined with progression into the next round of the League Cup and a bright opening to their debut Europa League campaign, the Welshman admitted he was “very, very pleased” with the club’s early progress.

“It’s been a great start to the season and we’re very, very pleased. We know, in football, it can change so, so quickly,” Pulis said.

“We’ll just keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard. We want the supporters to get behind the team and really enjoy this period, and they’re doing that.”

“It’s smashing at the moment, but like I say, if you take your eye off the ball in this game it can soon fall and crumble away.”

The game failed to be a spectacle until Stoke grabbed hold of proceedings after the hour mark, with Saturday’s visitor’s appearing worse for wear from their recent European exploits.

Fulham seemed to suffer from travel sickness and Pulis was happy with how his charges ensured Martin Jol’s side have to wait until another away day to taste victory on the road for the first time this term.

“It was a good three points (today), they (Fulham) are a good side,” the Welshman stated.

“I thought we contained them very well in free play. They looked more dangerous off the long throw and from free-kicks.”

“(John Arne) Riise’s effort was inches away from giving them a lead. Maybe on another day we could have scored more goals.”