Player ratings for both Norwich City and Stoke City following their Premier League clash.

• Norwich City

6 John Ruddy: Commanding. One brilliant first half block but failed to stop Matthew Etherington's strike at his near post.

6 Russell Martin: Scotland international had a tough task trying to nullify Etherington. Great late block on Cameron Jerome.

6 Elliott Ward: Powerful aerially. Relished the physical side. May feel could have halted Etherington's decisive run.

7 Zak Whitbread: Now a key lynchpin of the City defence. Masterful against Peter Crouch alongside Ward.

6 Kyle Naughton: Good tussle with both Ryan Shotton and Jermaine Pennant. Offered a willing attacking outlet late on.

6 Jonny Howson: Neat and tidy in possession. Faded understandably after the interval. Money in the bank for the weeks ahead.

6 Bradley Johnson: Battled gamely, but central midfield was largely bypassed for long spells.

6 Anthony Pilkington: Never neglected defensive duties. Best work came in tandem with Russsell Martin to double team Etherington.

6 Elliott Bennett: Difficult role trying to support lone frontman. Few spaces to try and exploit. Careless in possession at times.

6 Andrew Surman: Not his type of game. One decent chance from a free kick lacked the pace to trouble Asmir Begovic.

6 Grant Holt: Thankless shift first half trying to out-bully Stoke's man mountains at the back.

Subs: Simeon Jackson (for Pilkington) 6, Aaron Wilbraham (for Howson) 5, David Fox (for Johnson) 6

• Stoke City

6 Asmir Begovic: Well-protected by Stoke's defence. Looked assured with whatever sporadic threat Norwich did pose.

5 Andy Wilkinson: Little chance to make a mark before withdrawn with a suspected hamstring/lower back injury.

6 Ryan Shawcross: Shift got considerably tougher when Norwich committed more men forward. Good athlete.

7 Robert Huth: Brought straight back into the side after suspension and you could see why. Met the physical challenge head on.

6 Marc Wilson: Decent foil for Matthew Etherington down the left. Neat and tidy.

7 Ryan Shotton: Not quite the set piece threat offered by Rory Delap, but becoming a key part of Tony Pulis' side.

6 Dean Whitehead: Scuffed one of the few clearcut chances in the first period. Great understanding with Glenn Whelan.

6 Glenn Whelan: The Irish international possesses undoubted quality, but this was a roll up the sleeves outing.

7 Matthew Etherington: One true moment of excellence to decide the outcome. Most creative player by a country mile.

6 Peter Crouch: Foiled by John Ruddy's reactions before the interval. Little change otherwise out of Norwich's centre backs.

6 Jonathan Walters: Willing runner down the channels. Dood awareness to tee up Dean Whitehead. Useful foil for Peter Crouch.

Subs: Jermaine Pennant (for Wilkinson) 6, Cameron Jerome (for Walters) 6, Kenwyne Jones (for Crouch) 6