Stoke City 0 Valencia 1: match report Valencia had dropped into this competition after finishing third in Chelsea's Champions League group and their pedigree was further evident in the statistic that this was their 100th match in European competition. Still, it was testament to Stoke's threat that coach Unai Emery - an agitated touchline jack-in-the-box - stocked his midfield with some of the more physically imposing players. In the opening minute it was Jon Walters running on to a misplaced defensive header as the visitors" early nerves were exposed. Then Walters narrowly failed to connect at the far post - and, yes, it was from one of Rory Delap's bombs - before Peter Crouch claimed he was pushed inside the penalty area as he attempted to reach a cross. By then, though, Valencia had adjusted. Suddenly it was Stoke who were backing off as Pablo Piatti's influence grow. Soon Stoke were standing off and Asmir Begovic saved superbly from close range as Jonas created the space for a shot and then, finally, they broke through. Again Stoke failed to show composure, failed to clear, and Mehmet Topal collected possession. The midfielder was allowed to advance, adjust and then strike a fierce right-foot shot from 30 yards that had Begovic clutching at air. For all Stoke's sterling work they were being outclassed here but Crouch almost fired hope when he adjusted to meet Jermaine Pennant's cross with an eye-catching scissor-kick that only just cleared the bar. Stoke needed a response. They gradually began to dominate possession, forcing their opponents back, although it left them vulnerable to the counter. Jeremy Mathieu skipped clear down the left to eventually tee up Sofiane Feghouli, who cut inside only for his low shot to bounce back off a post. For Stoke, Robert Huth hoofed over from a corner and goalkeeper Vicente Guaita held on to Delap's deflected shot but they were struggling to eke out opportunities as Valencia comfortably soaked up the pressure. Frustrations grew, challenges became a bit more fierce and Valencia were happy to 'mix it" with their opponents, with four bookings shared inside two minutes. It was a unique challenge for them but they dealt with it. \Match details Stoke City (4-4-1-1): Begovic; Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson (Shotton 69); Pennant, Palacios (Whitehead 53), Delap, Etherington; Walters; Crouch (Jerome 69). Subs: Sorensen (g), Whelan, Jones, Fuller. Booked: Shawcross, Etherington, Walters. Valencia (4-2-3-1): Guaita; Bruno (Miguel 81), Rami, Dealbert, Mathieu; Topal, Costa; Feghouli, Jonas, Piatti; Aduriz (Soldado 77). Subs: Alves (g), Albelda, Banega, Ruiz, Bermat. Booked: Rami. Referee: P Rasmussen (Denmark).