Stoke vs West Ham United, R6, The FA Cup 6th Round - 13/03/11 Danny Higginbotham’s fierce free-kick sank West Ham and sent Stoke into their first FA Cup semi-final for 39 years as they edged a fast and furious game that was full of controversy. After Robert Huth headed the Potters in front, referee Mike Jones angered both sides with his decisions, first allowing Frederic Piquionne's equaliser to stand despite an apparent handball and then awarding Stoke a cheap penalty which Robert Green saved brilliantly. Jones also played a key part in Higginbotham's winner, awarding the Potters another free-kick for handball in the wall when Jermaine Pennant's initial effort was blocked. But once the dust settles, it would be a shame if the officials were to be the main post-match talking point because this was a full-blooded cup tie that saw plenty of endeavour by both teams. Roared on by the home fans, Stoke made a breathless start and Pennant sent over two dangerous crosses from the right in the first two minutes, with Matthew Etherington getting on the end of one of them to force a fine save from Green. The visitors were given notice of what was to come when Huth headed wide from a Rory Delap long throw but failed to heed the warning, allowing the German defender to rise unmarked to meet another Delap catapult and plant his header into the net after 12 minutes. Stoke deserved their advantage and they looked to build on their lead with Etherington continuing his busy wing-play down ...