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Tony Pulis says Stoke were 'cheated' out of 2011 FA Cup after Man City rules verdict

Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis said he feels 'cheated' after Manchester City were found guilty on nearly all charges of breaching Premier League financial rules, having beaten Stoke 1-0 in the 2011 FA Cup final.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 27, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 Manchester City beat Stoke City 1-0 in the 2011 FA Cup final, with the goal scored by Yaya Touré.
2 Manchester City were found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching Premier League financial rules, per The Guardian.
3 Tony Pulis, Stoke's manager at the time, said he and his team felt 'cheated' by the result.
4 Manchester City deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal, according to The Guardian.
5 Pulis made his comments in a BBC Sport column, according to Yahoo Sports and BBC Sport/BBC News.

Tony Pulis, who managed Stoke City in the 2011 FA Cup final, said his team was 'cheated' out of the trophy after Manchester City were found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching Premier League financial rules, according to The Guardian.

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Stoke lost that final 1-0 to Manchester City on a goal from Yaya Touré. Pulis expressed his feelings in a BBC Sport column, in which he said Stoke fans had been asking him, 'When do we get our FA Cup?' according to Yahoo Sports.

According to The Guardian, Manchester City deny any wrongdoing and say the process is ongoing; the club is expected to appeal the verdict.

Outlets across the spectrum reported on Pulis's comments, though only The Guardian detailed the specific charges and City's response.

How each side covered it

Left

1 outlet
  • The Guardian reported Manchester City were found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching Premier League financial rules.
  • The Guardian noted Manchester City deny wrongdoing and say the process is ongoing, with an appeal expected.
  • The Guardian detailed the 2011 final score and Yaya Touré's goal.

“Tony Pulis says he and Stoke were 'cheated' in 2011 FA Cup final after Manchester City verdict” — The Guardian

Center

3 outlets
  • Center outlets reported Pulis made his comments in a BBC Sport column.
  • Yahoo Sports quoted Pulis referencing Stoke fans asking him, 'When do we get our FA Cup?'
  • BBC Sport and BBC News both published the column under the same headline.

“I feel cheated - when do Stoke City get our FA Cup?” — BBC Sport

Right

2 outlets
  • The Sun and The Telegraph both described Pulis's comments as feeling 'cheated' out of the FA Cup.
  • The Sun characterized the remarks as a 'passionate rant' against Manchester City.

“Tony Pulis admits he feels 'cheated' out of FA Cup in passionate Man City rant” — The Sun

Questions readers ask

What did Tony Pulis say about the 2011 FA Cup final?

Tony Pulis, Stoke City's manager at the time, said he and his team were 'cheated' out of the 2011 FA Cup after Manchester City were found guilty on nearly all counts of breaching Premier League financial rules.

What was the result of the 2011 FA Cup final?

Manchester City beat Stoke City 1-0 in the 2011 FA Cup final, with the winning goal scored by Yaya Touré.

How has Manchester City responded to the financial rules verdict?

According to The Guardian, Manchester City deny any wrongdoing, say the process is ongoing, and are expected to appeal the verdict.

Why does this matter now?

The renewed attention comes after Manchester City were found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching Premier League financial rules, prompting Pulis to revisit Stoke's 2011 final defeat.

Sources · 6 outlet reports

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