The best faceoff in the world? Stoke’s Delap once made the goalkeeper kick the ball away for a corner

If someone learns to throw long outs, it can be a very effective weapon. One such player was Rory Delap, who terrified all Premier League defences in his career.

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “On a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke”. This saying took hold because of the unpleasant style the Red and Whites practiced under coach Tony Pulis. The Stoke players were all tall, combative and sliding for every ball.

In short, there was no great football being played at Stoke Stadium, it was more of a war. All of which was helped by Rory Delap, who wore the red and white jersey from 2006-2013.

His hands were literally magical. Delap had incredibly long crosses that he would shower from the opponent’s half into the whitewash where the Stoke warriors were waiting for a header. Delap’s autos weren’t arcs, they were more like armed grenades.

Goals from set pieces

You can watch a montage of his discipline for yourself.

Stoke scored countless goals thanks to these autos, it was truly a unique weapon that every opponent feared.

Better a corner than an own goal

Delap was already so famous in the Premier League that he was terrifying the opposition goalkeepers. Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was being challenged by Stoke’s attackers, but could calmly kick the ball away.

However, he realised that Delap was on the pitch and it would have meant great danger. So he preferred to turn and kick the ball for a corner. I don’t think anyone could have paid more homage to Delap.

Delap is now 46 years old and in his career he has tried on the jersey of Derby County, Southampton, Barnsley and Burton Albion, where he finished his career.

But he is still close to the Premier League, as his son Liam Delap has joined Manchester City.

the 20-year-old shone for the U23 Citizens, Pep Guardiola gave him a chance in a total of six games, Delap even scored once.

He spent last autumn on loan at Stoke, where his father experienced the greatest glory of his career. He scored three goals in 22 Championship games, then moved to Preston in the winter.

Source: Give me Sport, Twitter