Seven defining matches of Tony Pulis’ career

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Tony Pulis takes charge of his 1,000th match this weekend when his West Brom team face Stoke City at the Britannia. Let’s take a look back at seven of his biggest games in management.

Gillingham 2-2 (1-3p) Manchester City (Second Division Play-off Final – 30^th May, 1999)

Pulis did a fantastic job at Gillingham but his final game in charge was a tough result to take. Gillingham took a two goal lead and looked to be cruising to the First Division but late goals from City saw the game go into penalties. Gillingham were left devastated as City won the shoot-out and Pulis would be sacked following the result.

Stoke 1-0 Reading (First Division – 4^th May, 2003)

Pulis masterminded an incredible great escape, as Stoke won their third game in four to avoid dropping into the Second Division. Adi Akinbiyi scored a second-half winner to see Pulis’ side safe after a dramatic end to the season.

Stoke 0-0 Leicester City (Championship – 4^th May, 2008)

There were mixed emotions at the Britannia, as a draw sent Stoke up to the Premier League but also confirmed Leicester’s relegation to English football’s third tier. Stoke fans celebrated their promotion with a pitch invasion to mark their return to English’s football top-flight after a twenty-three year absence. Pulis had turned Championship strugglers into a promotion winning side and he wasn’t finished yet.

Hull City 1-2 Stoke (Premier League – 9^th May, 2009)

A win over Hull City confirmed Pulis’ remarkable achievement of keeping Stoke City in the Premier League. Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence bagged the goals to mathematically seal their survival. Stoke would finish the season in 12^th place on an impressive tally of 45 points.

Bolton Wanderers 0-5 Stoke (FA Cup Semi-Final – 17^th April, 2011)

Pulis took his Stoke side to an FA Cup Final and did so in remarkable fashion. First-half goals from Matthew Etherington, Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones allowed Stoke fans to enjoy a comfortable victory at Wembley. Jonathan Walters’ second-half double rounded off an emphatic performance for Pulis’ side. Stoke would be defeated in the final by Manchester City but by reaching Wembley, Stoke guaranteed a place in the Europa League.

Stoke 0-1 Valencia (Europa League Round of 32 First Leg – 16^th February, 2012)

Arguably, the pinnacle of Pulis’ career – alongside his FA Cup Final appearance – came when he welcomed Spanish giants Valencia to the Britannia for the knockout stages of the Europa league. Hosting such a big European night at the Britannia was a wonderful occasion for those Potters fans who had witnessed their side be transformed from First Division strugglers to Premier League regulars under Pulis. Stoke were defeated by a stunning Mehmet Topal strike and a second-leg defeat sealed their exit from the competition.

Crystal Palace 3-3 Stoke (Premier League – 5^th May, 2014)

Pulis had already overseen a wonderful turnaround in Crystal Palace’s season which saw him guide the Eagles from certain relegation to the comfort of mid-table. Yet, this result against title chasing Liverpool is the most memorable of his time at Selhurst Park. Liverpool took a three goal lead and looked to bolster their goal difference by pressing for more. However, Pulis’ side hadn’t given up and pulled back three late goals to crush Liverpool’s title hopes.