Fuller taking fame in stride

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (CMC):

Stoke City's Jamaican striker, Ricardo Fuller, has shrugged off the adulation surrounding his opening goal against Liverpool, noting it was a team effort that resulted in the resounding 2-0 verdict against the struggling giants on Saturday.

Fuller, who scored his 100th goal in his England career in mid-week against Birmingham City, scored the first of two goals at the Britannia Stadium to hand Stoke their second win in as many Premiership matches.

"Today was very difficult. Liverpool are a team getting back to their best and they have great players throughout the team and it took a great effort throughout our team to beat them," said Fuller.

His goal on Saturday, however, was a far cry from his brilliant solo effort which earned Stoke a 3-2 victory over Birmingham.

A goal-mouth scramble saw Fuller stabbing home a rebound past goalkeeper Pepe Reina after his first shot had been parried.

Classic goal

The goal at mid-week was a classic, as the 31-year-old weaved his way past defenders, cutting in off the right side before sending a beautiful, curling left-footed shot into the far corner.

"To have scored 100 goals is a great achievement, but I'm more happy because the team won," Fuller said.

On Friday, Stoke City manager, Tony Pulis, hailed Fuller's talent, pointing out he had made a wonderful impact at the West Midlands club during his tenure there.

"He's been a very, very good signing. We took a massive risk with him because he was down on his luck when we signed him," Pulis said.

"But if you had a compilation of goals he's scored for this football club, you'd be amazed at the quality he's got.

"I've got a great relationship with Ric, so probably I understand him better than most people. I know from looking into his eyes whether he's with us or not and he looked ready the other night (against Birmingham)."