Bojan wonder strike helps Stoke past Rochdale

Stoke strolled into the FA Cup fifth round, and a clash with Blackburn Rovers, as they saw off a spirited Rochdale side with a 4-1 win at Spotland.

Mark Hughes’ men had prepared for the game with a trip to Dubai and the warm weather appeared to have done them good as Bojan opened the scoring with a stunning volley.

However, Rochdale refused to lie down, and after Bojan was forced off with a knee injury, could have equalised before half-time as Matt Done went close twice.

The hosts were made to pay for their profligacy after the break as the quality of the Premier League side shone through. Victor Moses set up Stephen Ireland for a tap-in for the second, and then turned on the style to score their third with a brilliant curled effort.

Rhys Bennett gave Rochdale hope when he tapped home from a corner late on, but Stoke went on to add a fourth as Jonathan Walters side-footed a Marko Arnautovic cross past Josh Lillis.

4’ – GOAL! Rochdale 0-1 Stoke. Bojan produces a sublime volley to put the Premier League side in front, as he punishes Oliver Lancashire for a poor headed clearance.

9’ – ROCHDALE WANT A PENALTY! Philpp Wollscheid brings Stephen Dawson down in the area, but the German got the ball and referee Martin Atkinson rightly waves away the protests.

26’ – HANDBAGS! Bojan and Peter Vincenti clash after the latter clatters into Victor Moses, and then Rochdale refuse to kick the ball out. Both players are booked.

30’ – BAD NEWS FOR BOJAN! Stoke’s main threat limps off after crumpling in a heap in the penalty area clutching his knee.

39’ – CHANCE FOR ROCHDALE! Callum Camps sends Done through on goal, but the striker fires wide under pressure.

52' – GOAL! Rochdale 0-2 Stoke. Moses gets behind the Rochdale defence for the first time, and the result is a tap-in for Ireland.

61' – GOAL! Rochdale 0-3 Stoke. Game, set and match as Moses dances into the home area, before shifting the ball onto his right foot and finding the far top corner.

78' – GOAL! Rochdale 1-3 Stoke. Somehow the hosts are back in it as Stoke fail to clear a corner and Bennett pokes home.

90+3' – WALTERS WRAPS IT UP! Rochdale 1-4 Stoke. Walters finishes off a fine Arnautovic cross to add some gloss to the scoreline for Stoke.

Rochdale have now conceded 14 goals in their last three FA Cup games against top flight opposition.

Bojan's goal was his third in his last four away games for Stoke.

Jonathan Walters has scored 10 goals in his last 15 FA Cup starts. Prolific.

Are Stoke FA Cup contenders? Mark Hughes said before the game that his side were aiming to go far in the competition and on tonight's evidence they could do just that. Rochdale gave them come problems in the first half, but in the second they created very little apart from the goal. The visitors by contrast were a constant threat on the break and took their chances extremely well. With an away trip to Blackburn - Hughes' old club - next up, they will fancy their chances of making the sixth round. From there, who knows?

Victor Moses (Stoke): Did not have his best first half and was taken off before the end, but for 10 minutes after the break he was unplayable and ultimately proved the difference between the sides with an assist and goal when his team needed him. Stephen Dawson had a fine game for Rochdale, while Stephen Ireland was good when he came on and Jonathan Walters was a tireless runner throughout. However, after Bojan departed it was Moses who provided Stoke's quality.

Rochdale: Lillis 6, Rafferty 6, Eastham 6, Lancashire 6, Tanser 6, Bennett 6, Vincenti 5, Dawson 7, Camps 7, Henderson 6, Done 6. Subs: Andrew 5, Noble-Lazarus 6, Allen 6.

Stoke: Butland 6, Bardsley 6, Shawcross 6, Wollscheid 6, Wilson 6, N'Zonzi 5, Whelan 7, Arnautovic 7, Bojan 7, Moses 8, Walters 7. Subs: Ireland 7, Sidwell 6, Adam 5.