Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of Champions League qualification were officially ended on Saturday as they suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Stoke City.
The hosts scored twice during the first half as Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi both found the net to put the Potters in control.
Spurs' task was made harder five minutes after the restart when Vlad Chiriches was sent off for a second bookable offence, before Mame Biram Diouf wrapped up the points for Stoke late on.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at the Britannia Stadium.
2.01pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke will be eager to get their campaign back on track following an inconsistent few weeks, while Spurs must win if they want to keep alive their Champions League hopes. Team news should be through shortly.
2.03pmSTOKE: Butland; Pieters, Muniesa, Shawcross, Cameron; Whelan, Nzonzi; Arnautovic, Adam, Walters; Diouf
2.04pmSTOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Bardsley, Ireland, Odemwingie, Sidwell, Crouch, Wollscheid
2.06pmAfter seeing his side lose 2-0 to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last weekend, Stoke boss Mark Hughes has made two changes for today's game as Marc Muniesa and Geoff Cameron replace Phil Bardsley and Marc Wilson.
2.08pmSPURS: Lloris; Dier, Chiriches, Fazio, Vertonghen; Bentaleb, Mason; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane
2.09pmSPURS SUBS: Vorm, Rose, Yedlin, Dembele, Stambouli, Townsend, Soldado
2.11pmFollowing last weekend's narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City, Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino has made just the one change to his starting lineup as Vlad Chiriches replaces Danny Rose. Meanwhile, Andros Townsend and Moussa Dembele are on the bench after missing out altogether against City.
2.13pmUPDATE! There's around 20 minutes left in today's early Premier League kickoff at Goodison Park, where Sunderland are beating Everton 1-0. We'll bring that result to you as soon as it's in.
2.16pmRight, let's get down to business. With a Champions League spot still mathematically possible for Spurs, only a win will do for the Londoners this afternoon. They currently sit seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United with three games left to play. However, even if Spurs do come away with the spoils today, victory for United over Crystal Palace this evening would end their chances of a top-four finish. It's hanging by the finest of threads for Mauricio Pochettino's men.
2.18pmTottenham's season has been slowly unraveling since the start of April, with the team winning just one of their last five matches. Their last two games have ended in a draw and a defeat.
2.21pmMauricio Pochettinio: "Last season, in the warm-up there, it was windy - without the corners [at the stadium] it is unbelievable. Stoke is maybe the windiest place I have ever played. It is not a case of changing your tactics, but of being careful because it is difficult to control the ball.
"Last season, with Southampton, we conceded in the first few seconds. Begovic got the ball, a big kick, the ball bounced in front of the keeper Boruc, flew over his head and we were 1-0 down. From then, it was very difficult. We got it back to 1-1, but it was hard to have to get back into the game because of such a stupid situation.
"I will tell Hugo (Lloris) to always be careful; when Begovic shoots, it is not a joke. You need to be clever and smart. Go out to warm-up and find out how the wind is blowing, what the conditions on the pitch are, because this is very important."
2.25pmThe best that Stoke can hope for this season is an eighth-placed finish following a frustrating few weeks for the Potters. Mark Hughes's side put together three straight wins at the end of February/start of March, but they have managed just one victory in seven matches since then.
2.28pmMark Hughes: "You can see signs of the way [Mauricio Pochettino] wants to play now. Earlier in the season there didn't seem to be too much of a different approach to games. It takes time. I think now everyone can see that the Spurs manager wants to play a pressing game and you can see that in the games since the turn of the year. He's shaping the team in his own image. When he has the opportunity to go into the market and get the key personnel he things he needs they will continue to progress I'm sure."
2.31pmGot a spare couple of minutes before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview for this afternoon's game below:
2.34pmHEAD TO HEAD: Spurs have the superior record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 42 matches compared to 20 victories for Stoke. Meanwhile, a total of 18 draws have been played out since the first faced each other.
2.37pmThis season's reverse fixture between the teams at White Hart Lane ended in a Stoke victory as Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters gave the visitors a 2-1 triumph. However, the Potters should be wary of this afternoon's encounter because Spurs have won four of their last five matches at the Britannia Stadium. The most recent of those came last season when Danny Rose scored the only goal of the game.
2.40pmUPDATE! It's all over at Goodison Park, where Sunderland have recorded a vital 2-0 win over Everton in their battle to avoid the drop. Danny Graham and Jermain Defoe got the goals for the Black Cats, who have now won their last two matches in the Premier League. What a time to find a bit of form.
2.44pmWhile it is imperative that Tottenham win today's game, it is unlikely that we'll see the visitors go on the offensive from the off. Spurs will be aware that Stoke have some handy players on the break, including frontman Mame Biram Diouf. Meanwhile, the likes of Charlie Adam, Jonathan Walters and Marko Arnautovic can provide ample support from deeper positions.
2.47pm
STAT OF THE DAY: Stoke have gained 34 points from a possible 45 when they have scored first in the league this season pic.twitter.com/fGE3DkmnaH
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 9, 20152.50pmTen minutes to go until kickoff and the Britannia Stadium is filling up nicely. The Stoke fans always play a big role at this ground and it should be no different this afternoon. Tottenham have also brought up a fair few supporters of this own on this blustery, overcast day.
2.54pmA few of the players are starting to emerge in the tunnel as we edge closer to kickoff. Ryan Shawcross will lead the hosts out this afternoon, while Hugo Lloris captains Spurs. For the record, Tottenham have confirmed that Danny Rose isn't in their starting lineup because he is suffering with a slight groin problem.
2.56pmHere come the teams!
1 minKICKOFF! The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and we're ready to go. Game on!
3 minIt's been a lively start from Stoke, who are doing most of the pressing during the early stages. The hosts win themselves a couple of corners in quick succession, and the second almost comes to something as Lloris tips Muniesa's volley over the crossbar. The away side manage to survive the third corner kick as the flag goes up for an infringement.
6 minSpurs surge forward for the first time as Eriksen tries to thread a ball through to Kane, but the Dane puts too much on it and Butland comes off his line to collect.
9 minThis continues to be a really positive start for the Potters. They're showing plenty of attacking intent at the moment. The home side threaten again as Diouf surges into the Spurs box before being tackled by Chiriches. The Romanian had to get that right because it could have easily gone wrong.
12 minSpurs have started to come alive a bit more in the last few minutes. The visitors are seeing much more of the ball, with the likes of Lamela and Chadli looking dangerous in the final third. Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased to see his players take the game to their opponents following an underwhelming opening.
13 minHalf a chance for Totteham as Kane finds himself in plenty of space down the left. The striker runs into the Stoke box before trying to pick out a teammate with a low cross, but it's easy for Butland in the end.
16 minYELLOW CARD! No argument there as Chiriches gets booked for bringing down Walters on the right as the Stoke winger looked to break.
17 minSAVE! Stoke come close to opening the scoring as Arnautovic takes aim from the edge of the box, but his low drive is pushed away by Lloris before Chiriches clears. We've seen plenty of action at both ends of the pitch so far. Neither of these sides are shying away from it.
20 minGOAL! STOKE 1-0 SPURS (ADAM)
20 minIt's been coming! Stoke take a deserved lead as Charlie Adam gets on the scoresheet for the third home game in a row. Diouf does brilliantly down the right, working some space before whipping in a dangerous cross. It's helped on its way by a Spurs head, and there's Adam to nod in from close range.
23 minThe hosts have been the better side so far, that's for sure. Mark Hughes will be delighted with the energy and application that his players have shown. Arnautovic in particular has been excellent, causing Tottenham all sorts of problems down the left side. Do the visitors have a response?
24 minOFF THE BAR! Spurs almost level things up instantly as Lamela's free kick is flicked towards goal by a Stoke player, but the ball comes back off the woodwork.
27 minThe visitors have not let their heads drop since conceding, which will please Pochettino. However, the Argentine might be concerned by how much space his team is leaving at the back. It's a really open game at the moment, with both sides pushing forward at every opportunity.
30 minCHANCE! Arnautovic causes some trouble for Spurs once again as he cuts in from the left before drilling a low strike towards goal. It's not a bad effort, but Lloris gets down comfortably to save in the end. It just seems like a matter of time before we see another goal.
31 minGOAL! STOKE 2-0 SPURS (NZONZI)
31 minStoke double their lead thanks to Steven Nzonzi, but Spurs only have themselves to blame on this occasion due to some dreadful defending. A cross from deep causes some confusion in the Tottenham box and Lloris and Dier collide while trying to go for the same ball. The ball eventually drops for Nzonzi, who calmly slots in to an open goal.
34 minTottenham's hopes of Champions League qualification were hanging by a thread before this match. It now looks as if they're over. It's a long way back for the away side following that Nzonzi goal. And how typical was it of Tottenham's season? Bad defending has cost them dearly during the current campaign.
37 minCHANCE! Spurs have a great opportunity to get themselves back in this match, but they're thwarted by a dogged Stoke defence. A patient passing move ends with Mason getting a shot away on the right side of the box, though his effort fails to make it through to Butland as Muniesa gets his body in the way.
40 min
Photo: @NChadli in action at Stoke. 5mins to go until the break, we trail 2-0. #COYS pic.twitter.com/IZCMCY0v0T
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 9, 201541 minCHANCE! Now it's the turn of Stoke to have a go at goal as Arnautovic races down the left wing before seeing his low effort kept out at the near post by Lloris. The Austrian winger has been dominant so far this afternoon.
44 minSpurs are trying to put a bit of pressure on Stoke as we edge towards the end of the first half, but they're not having any luck. The away side have struggled to fluency up front today. They've just not got going.
45 minThere will be TWO MINUTES of added time at the end of the half...
45+2 minHALF TIME: STOKE 2-0 SPURS
3.50pmMark Clattenburg blows his half-time whistle, bringing the curtain down on an excellent opening 45 minutes from a Stoke perspective. The Potters have been superb so far and thoroughly deserve their 2-0 lead. Charlie Adam gave them the lead on 21 minutes before Steven Nzonzi doubled their advantage 10 minutes later.
3.53pmWhile the home side have been impressive, Tottenham have been poor. The disappointing aspect from a Spurs point of view is that these kind of performances have been all too familiar in recent weeks. The visitors have looked sluggish in defence, while they've lacked zip and vigour in the final third.
3.57pmThe outstanding player of that first half was Stoke winger Marko Arnautovic. His dynamism down the left has played a key role for the visitors this afternoon. The Tottenham defence have been run ragged by his direct play and you would imagine that he will be doing more of the same after the break.
3.59pmMauricio Pochettino could well be tempted to look to his bench early in the second half, with the likes of Dembele, Soldado and Townsend all available to him. However, if he is going to shake things up in attack he must first sort out his defence.
46 minSECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be Spurs to kick us off. No changes from either manager during the interval.
49 minSpurs have enjoyed a decent start to the second half. They're looking a bit more menacing going forward, though they're still finding it hard to unlock the Stoke defence. An early goal for the visitors would certainly change the complexion of this match.
50 minRED CARD! CHIRICHES (SPURS)
50 minThe visitors are reduced to 10 men as Vlad Chiriches picks up his second yellow card of the afternoon. The defender is dispossessed by Diouf down the left before dragging the striker to the ground. Mark Clattenburg is left with no choice but to send off the Romanian. It really is a long way back for Tottenham now.
53 minThat red card for Chiriches has forced Mauricio Pochettino to make a bit of a tactical change, with Bentaleb dropping deeper to fill in at left-back. Is there any way that Spurs can get themselves back into this match? Stoke look as strong as ever.
55 min
7 - There have been seven red cards in the last seven PL games between Stoke and Tottenham at the Britannia. Scrap.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 9, 201558 minOne or two of the Tottenham players are starting to lose their cool as we approach the hour mark. Meanwhile, Stoke are playing with plenty of swagger. Arnautovic makes a surging run down the left (much as he has done all afternoon) before trying to play Walters in, but his cross has too much on it and Spurs survive the danger.
59 minSAVE! Lloris keeps Spurs in the game with a fine stop to deny Adam. The Stoke midfielder tries to curl the ball into the far corner from the left side of the box, but Lloris does well to get across and palm away the Scot's effort.
60 minSPURS SUB: The visitors make their first change of the afternoon as Roberto Soldado replaces Chadli, who has been largely ineffective today.
63 minCHANCE! Stoke continue to knock on the door. Adam floats a teasing cross into the Spurs box which Lloris makes a bit of a mess of, but the whistle eventually goes for a foul by Walters. Tottenham are still looking very shaky at the back.
66 minMauricio Pochettino is looking pretty flustered in the dugout. The Argentine must be wondering just what he has to do to get this Spurs side playing consistently week in, week out. These kind of performances are becoming all too familiar for the North-London outfit.
69 minEvery pass made by Stoke is being greeted by cheers from the home fans at the moment. The Potters haven't been quite as dynamic in this half as they were in the first, but they're still in a comfortable position. Arnautovic leads the hosts forward once again down the left before seeing his cross cut out.
72 minSTOKE SUB: The hosts freshen things up as Adam is replaced by Stephen Ireland.
73 minSpurs get a sniff of goal as Kane is played in down the left, but Whelan does brilliantly to thwart the striker with a last-ditch challenge. He had to time that perfectly. Those kind of chances have been few and far between all afternoon for the away side.
75 minSPURS SUB: The visitors make their second change of the match as Moussa Dembele takes the place of Lamela, who has been incredibly lacklustre up in the final third for Tottenham today.
78 minWith just over 10 minutes remaining, Spurs are doing most of the pushing. A goal now would give them some hope of at least getting something from this match. However, despite seeing a fair amount of the ball, the away side can't make anything of it.
79 minCHANCE! That really should be 3-0 to Stoke. Ireland whips a cross in from the left that Walters meets, but the winger's effort from close range is straight at Lloris.
81 minCHANCE! Now it's Tottenham who come close to finding the net as Eriksen tries his luck with a free kick from 25 yards. The Dane hits the ball sweetly enough, but his shot curls just over the crossbar. A foot lower and that could well have been nestling in the top corner.
83 minSTOKE SUB: Mark Hughes looks to his bench for a second time, this time bringing on Peter Odemwingie for Walters.
85 minGOAL! STOKE 3-0 SPURS (DIOUF)
85 minAnd that should be that! Stoke make it 3-0 thanks to Mame Biram Diouf, who finishes off Arnautovic's cross from the left. The ball is pumped in low towards the near post, and there is the striker to flick a clever finish past Lloris.
87 minSTOKE SUB: The Potters make their final change of the day, with Steve Sidwell replacing the tireless Glenn Whelan.
89 minCHANCE! Arnautovic deserves a goal and he almost gets one when his curled effort goes inches wide of the post. That was a whisker away.
90 minThere will be TWO MINUTES of stoppage time...
90+2 minFULL TIME: STOKE 3-0 SPURS
4.53pmThe full-time whistle goes and it's a good day for Stoke as they earn a comfortable 3-0 win over Spurs. The hosts fully deserve their victory following a dominant performance this afternoon. Meanwhile, Tottenham's chances of Champions League qualification are now officially over. Needless to say, this was a poor display from the visitors.
4.54pmThat's all from our live text coverage of today's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
