By Becky Ashton BBC Sport

Headed goals from Matthew Upson and Peter Crouch gave Stoke City a much-needed home win over Swansea City.

Upson directed Matthew Etherington's corner past Swans debutant goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel after 24 minutes.

Crouch then doubled the lead when he was on the end of a long throw from Ryan Shotton to give Stoke their first home league win since 11 December.

Swansea hit the crossbar through Steven Caulker but Stoke held on to claim all three points.

Did you know?

  • Peter Crouch has now scored 10 goals this season
  • Stoke had lost their last three home games in all competitions

The Swans have enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League, earning impressive results against Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool, but they found Stoke a tough proposition.

They outplayed their opponents in the first half, thanks to their much-vaunted slick passing style,  but from set-pieces the home side always looked a threat.

Michel Vorm has been in exceptional form for the Swansea this season - keeping nine clean sheets - but he was ruled out through illness, meaning a debut for German goalkeeper Tremmel, 33.

And it proved to be a debut to forget as Stoke manager Tony Pulis's decision to rest his starting XI on Thursday, as the Potters were knocked out of the Europa League against Valencia, was vindicated with all three points.

It was the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides and Scott Sinclair could have given them the lead with less than two minutes gone.

Win helps Pulis shrug off selection debate

A pinpoint ball from Nathan Dyer was met by Sinclair but he side-footed his effort well over the bar.

At the other end, the first chance for Stoke fell to Crouch from a corner but he headed wide from close range.

Swansea were keeping the ball well and passing it around with ease, but the Stoke threat was always present from long balls.

And so it proved as the visitors failed to learn from their earlier let-off and Upson was on hand to head home his first goal for the Potters.

Upson was then in more familiar territory just minutes later, putting in an excellent sliding tackle to prevent Swansea from getting back on level terms.

Did you know?

  • Swansea have picked up just nine points away from home this season - one better than Fulham
  • They have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches in all competitions

Neil Taylor went on a tremendous run that took him past four men and into the area but, as he was about to pull the trigger, Upson slid in and deflected the ball behind for a corner.

Stoke soon doubled their lead through Crouch, who headed home a long throw from Shotton for his second goal in as many games.

Tremmel will feel he should have done better as he fumbled the ball over the line.

Another long throw almost saw Stoke add a third goal. The ball was headed on at the near post by Crouch and fell for Jon Walters four yards out but his header went over the bar.

The visitors came within inches of registering a goal with just minutes remaining but Asmir Begovic tipped Caulker's effort on to the crossbar.

The win moves Stoke up to 12th in the table, ending a run of four Premier League defeats, while Swansea's problems on the road resurfaced - Brendan Rodgers's men have only picked up nine points from 12 away trips this season.

Rodgers not blaming keeper switch

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis: "We worked very hard out there. I thought the lads were fantastic. It has been a difficult season for us, today was our 43rd game and we have been all over Europe and are still in the FA Cup.

"It has been hard for the players and at times they have looked tired but I thought their energy levels today were terrific, I don't know where they get them from."

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers: "I got a call from the physio this morning and he told me about Michel [Vorm] who was too weak to play, which was obviously a big blow for us but I thought that Gerhard Tremmel came in and did very well considering that he has not played many games.

"We should have defended the two goals better, we have worked on that during the week. We are disappointed with the goals but there were parts of our play that were superb."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Stoke City

  • 01 Begovic
  • 17 Shawcross Booked
  • 20 Upson
  • 28 Wilkinson
  • 30 Shotton (Palacios - 88' )
  • 06 Whelan
  • 12 Wilson
  • 18 Whitehead
  • 26 Etherington (Jerome - 68' )
  • 19 Walters
  • 25 Crouch (Delap - 87' )

Substitutes

  • 29 Sorensen
  • 16 Pennant
  • 24 Delap
  • 40 Palacios
  • 09 Jones
  • 10 Fuller
  • 33 Jerome

Swansea City

  • 25 Tremmel
  • 02 Williams
  • 03 Taylor
  • 04 Caulker
  • 22 Rangel
  • 07 Britton
  • 11 Sinclair (McEachran - 71' )
  • 12 Dyer (Moore - 71' )
  • 24 Allen
  • 42 Sigurdsson
  • 10 Graham

Substitutes

  • 05 Tate
  • 16 Monk
  • 15 Routledge
  • 17 McEachran
  • 27 Gower
  • 18 Lita
  • 19 Moore
Ref: H Webb
Att: 26,678

Match Stats

Shots

9 11

On target

6 6

Corners

8 4

Fouls

13 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:10 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +1:53

Shot on goal by Danny Graham from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

90:00 +0:50

Dean Whitehead concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Allen. Gylfi Sigurdsson delivers the ball, Steven Caulker takes a shot. Save by Asmir Begovic.

87:11 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Shotton goes off and Wilson Palacios comes on.

86:57 Substitution

Substitution Rory Delap comes on in place of Peter Crouch.

86:51

Andy Wilkinson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Leon Britton. Leon Britton takes the free kick.

84:38

Outswinging corner taken by Glenn Whelan from the right by-line played to the near post, Steven Caulker manages to make a clearance.

84:33

The ball is sent over by Andy Wilkinson, Josh McEachran gets a block in.

83:22

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan, Joe Allen makes a clearance.

82:29

Gylfi Sigurdsson concedes a free kick for a foul on Dean Whitehead. Free kick crossed right-footed by Glenn Whelan from right channel, Steven Caulker makes a clearance.

81:05

Shot from 12 yards from Gylfi Sigurdsson. Comfortable save by Asmir Begovic.

81:05

Gylfi Sigurdsson has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Save by Asmir Begovic.

79:12

Luke Moore produces a drilled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Comfortable save by Asmir Begovic.

77:48

Corner taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan from the right by-line to the near post, Danny Graham makes a clearance.

77:38

The ball is crossed by Cameron Jerome, blocked by Ashley Williams.

76:43

Luke Moore takes a shot. Save by Asmir Begovic.

76:12

Foul by Jonathan Walters on Neil Taylor, free kick awarded. Gylfi Sigurdsson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, save made by Asmir Begovic.

74:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Caulker on Cameron Jerome. Asmir Begovic takes the free kick.

73:44

Glenn Whelan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joe Allen. Steven Caulker restarts play with the free kick.

72:42

Gylfi Sigurdsson produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.

71:20

The ball is crossed by Ryan Shotton, Jonathan Walters has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

70:10 Substitution

Substitution Josh McEachran replaces Scott Sinclair.

70:03 Substitution

Substitution Luke Moore comes on in place of Nathan Dyer.

69:42

Centre by Angel Rangel.

68:48

Corner taken by Glenn Whelan from the left by-line played to the near post, Danny Graham manages to make a clearance.

68:15

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan, Jonathan Walters takes a shot. Ashley Williams gets a block in.

68:08

The ball is swung over by Marc Wilson, blocked by Steven Caulker.

66:52

Free kick taken by Glenn Whelan.

66:52 Substitution

Substitution Cameron Jerome replaces Matthew Etherington.

66:52

Ryan Shotton fouled by Scott Sinclair, the ref awards a free kick.

65:32

The ball is delivered by Joe Allen, clearance by Ryan Shawcross.

64:55

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson played to the near post, clearance by Glenn Whelan.

64:34

Scott Sinclair decides to take a short corner.

64:11

Shot by Angel Rangel. Blocked by Steven Caulker.

57:38

Unfair challenge on Ryan Shawcross by Danny Graham results in a free kick. Asmir Begovic takes the free kick.

56:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Allen by Glenn Whelan. Free kick crossed right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson from left channel, clearance made by Matthew Upson.

54:27

Jonathan Walters produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the crossbar.

52:59

Nathan Dyer has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

48:41

Matthew Etherington takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Gerhard Tremmel.

48:04

Peter Crouch takes a shot. Gerhard Tremmel makes a brilliant save.

48:01

Corner taken by Matthew Etherington from the right by-line.

47:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marc Wilson on Nathan Dyer. Angel Rangel takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +2:49 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

44:54

Angel Rangel produces a cross, save by Asmir Begovic.

42:36

The ball is crossed by Nathan Dyer.

38:23

The assist for the goal came from Ryan Shotton.

38:23 Goal scored

Goal - Peter Crouch - Stoke 2 - 0 Swansea Peter Crouch scores a headed goal from close range. Stoke 2-0 Swansea.

37:16

A cross is delivered by Glenn Whelan.

35:32

Effort from 20 yards by Danny Graham. Dean Whitehead gets a block in.

32:05

Matthew Etherington fouled by Steven Caulker, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

30:19

Short corner taken by Scott Sinclair.

29:32

Short corner worked by Joe Allen.

26:10

Gylfi Sigurdsson shoots direct from the free kick.

26:10 Booking

Booking Booking for Ryan Shawcross.

26:02

Ryan Shawcross concedes a free kick for a foul on Danny Graham.

23:52

Assist on the goal came from Matthew Etherington.

23:52 Goal scored

Goal - Matthew Upson - Stoke 1 - 0 Swansea Matthew Upson grabs a headed goal from close in. Stoke 1-0 Swansea.

23:25

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Etherington,

23:19

Ryan Shotton crosses the ball, Neil Taylor manages to make a clearance.

22:40

Jonathan Walters gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Leon Britton. Angel Rangel takes the direct free kick.

20:02

The ball is delivered by Nathan Dyer, clearance by Ryan Shawcross.

13:01

Free kick awarded for a foul by Neil Taylor on Ryan Shotton. Asmir Begovic restarts play with the free kick.

11:45

Shot by Jonathan Walters. Steven Caulker gets a block in.

10:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Allen by Andy Wilkinson. Direct free kick taken by Gerhard Tremmel.

8:41

Corner taken left-footed by Matthew Etherington, Matthew Upson produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.

8:41

Corner taken by Matthew Etherington, Peter Crouch has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.

8:01

Neil Taylor concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Shotton. Glenn Whelan takes the free kick.

5:57

Unfair challenge on Leon Britton by Marc Wilson results in a free kick. Angel Rangel restarts play with the free kick.

5:51

The ball is delivered by Ryan Shotton, save by Gerhard Tremmel.

5:22

Free kick awarded for a foul by Peter Crouch on Neil Taylor. Free kick taken by Gerhard Tremmel.

5:06

Matthew Etherington produces a cross, Neil Taylor manages to make a clearance.

3:58

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Sinclair by Andy Wilkinson. Neil Taylor restarts play with the free kick.

1:54

Shot from deep inside the area by Scott Sinclair clears the crossbar.

0:38

Unfair challenge on Leon Britton by Glenn Whelan results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Steven Caulker.

0:00

The match begins.

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