He was threatened with legal action by the club's general manager, although Ba suggested in a statement on his own website that Hoffenheim had gone back on a promise to let him move to England, amid reported interest from West Ham United.

BBC: Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba fails Stoke City medical

Just seconds after manager Rafa Benitez put on Fernando Torres as an extra attacking threat, Ba met a high bouncing ball in the area and turned in the air to slot the ball past the diving Pantilimon.

WSJ: Man City Beats Chelsea to Reach FA Cup Final