Paulo Di Canio calls Swindon's Capital One Cup victory over Stoke a 'special moment'

 

Phil Medlicott
Wednesday 29 August 2012 10:33 BST
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Swindon boss Paulo Di Canio rated his side's performance against Stoke as one of the greatest in the club's history after the npower League One outfit pulled off a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory in the Capital One Cup second round.

The Robins stunned their Barclays Premier League hosts by taking a 2-0 lead in the first half at the Britannia Stadium thanks to a brace from James Collins.

Stoke rallied after the break as goals from Kenwyne Jones and Jon Walters took the contest into extra-time, but Swindon would not be denied as Aden Flint put them 3-2 ahead before Collins responded to Peter Crouch's equaliser by completing his hat-trick with a minute remaining.

Di Canio said: "We scored four goals and I don't want to exaggerate, but I think we created another five or six clear chances to score.

"I don't think they underestimated us and all the congratulations I received from (Stoke manager) Tony Pulis at the end of the game was special for me because he is an experienced and very good manager who has achieved fantastic things with Stoke.

"I am very proud. It is only one match, but to win 4-3 away from home against Stoke City is a special moment for my club, and I think one of the best performances in this club's history."

Pulis was disappointed with some defensive lapses - an error by goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen gifted Collins his first goal - and with the way Stoke played in general in the first half, but was keen to give credit to Swindon for their efforts.

"I don't want to take anything away from them, I think they should celebrate the fact that they have come here and won," Pulis said.

"They played a major part in what was an extraordinary game at times."

Stoke finished the match with 10 men after summer signing Jamie Ness, having come on as a 77th-minute substitute to make his debut, was forced off during extra-time with a groin problem which Pulis said afterwards he was "a little bit concerned" about.

Pulis - who has also recruited Geoff Cameron and Michael Kightly this summer - is looking to strengthen his squad further before Friday's transfer deadline.

He said: "The next couple of days will determine what we bring in, who we can bring in and everything else. We have about three or four ongoing at the moment.

"We need a couple, we need to freshen it up as I've said. But we also need to move one or two on, and that is important."

PA

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