Predictably, both teams were at their most dangerous from set-pieces, and Stoke's second goal followed a trademark long throw from Delap.

BBC: Stoke 3-0 Blackburn

Well aware of this obsession with measurement and velocity, young pitchers and their coaches began about 15 years ago to approach the game with a singular goal: figuring out how to throw the ball as hard as they can.

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Stoke's first goal came courtesy of another dangerous Delap throw-in, which was flicked in by Carew past the Brezovan, who appeared to flap at the delivery.

BBC: John Carew scores the opener for Stoke