Stoke City v Norwich City - Player ratings

The national newspapers' views on Norwich City's 1-0 defeat at Stoke City.

• Norwich City:

6 Mark Bunn: Little chance with Charlie Adam's winner. One fine reaction stop to deny Steven N'Zonzi.

6 Russell Martin: Thwarted Jon Walters before tangling with Matthew Etherington. Willingness to break forward as usual.

6 Ryan Bennett: Largely defiant in the face of Stoke's aerial assault. Beaten by Peter Crouch for the decisive flick on.

6 Sébastien Bassong: Wrestled out of the way by Cameron Jerome for the goal. Fortunte to escape with a later pass intercepted.

6 Steven Whittaker: His reaction after Stoke's goal told its story after Adam had reacted quicker to Crouch's flick. Unusually hesitant.

6 Jonny Howson: Difficult game to influence when Stoke were adept at bypassing midfield.

6 Alex Tettey: Did just about enough to throw Crouch off his stride when a second stoke goal beckoned.

6 Bradley Johnson: One sharp half-chance from the edge of the area flew well wide. Ruffled a few Stoke feathers late on.

6 Robert Snodgrass: Early header turned out to be as good as Norwich could muster. Delivery failed to scale the same heights as Reading.

6 Kei Kamara: One late glancing flick header. One early flashing strike. Featured prominently early on.

6 Grant Holt: Outnumbered by Stoke's powerful centre backs. Took his frustration out on Robert Huth. A recurring theme.

Subs: Wes Hoolahan (for Tettey) 6, Elliott Bennett (for Snodgrass) 6, Anthony Pilkington (for Bassong) 5

• Stoke City:

6 Asmir Begovic: Class operator continually linked with a summer move to the big boys. Efficient outing. Rarely troubled.

6 Ryan Shotton: Flourished in his natural full-back position. Good understanding with Jon Walters. Solid.

6 Ryan Shawcross: Raking crossfield ball triggered Charlie Adam's goal. He enjoyed a largely free reign.

6 Robert Huth: All he was missing was the whistle. The centre-back had plenty to say to the officials. Crudely fouled by Grant Holt.

5 Andy Wilkinson: Looked vulnerable as Norwich probed predominantly down his flank in best spells.

7 Charlie Adam: Razor-sharp anticipation, technique and composure to settle the game. Ran the show throughout.

5 Glenn Whelan: Too often marginalised. No surprise when hooked just after the hour mark.

6 Steven N'Zonzi: Ugly late challenge on Kei Kamara in the first period. Impressive athlete. Good foil for Glenn Whelan.

6 Jonathan Walters: Endured usual flak from the travelling support. Typifies Stoke's earthy approach to the game.

7 Peter Crouch: Dominant focal point. Largely subdued by Norwich's centre-backs, but one decisive intervention proved crucial.

6 Cameron Jerome: Lucky to escape a second yellow for blatant simulation. His nuisance value cleared a path for Adam's goal.

Subs: Dean Whitehead (for Whelan) 6, Geoff Cameron (for Wilkinson) 6, Matthew Etherington (for Jerome) 6