In the twelfth minute, Stoke City won a throw-in on the right side of the attacking third.
Marcelo slid in while tracking back and sent the ball straight out of play.
Stoke City's right-back Wilkinson quickly ran forward, scooped up a football from the ground, tucked it inside his jersey, and carefully wiped away the water on it.
The visiting players pushed forward quickly, especially their target man, John Carew, who went straight to the vicinity of the byline on the left side of the penalty area and used his burly body to block Pepe behind him.
This was Stoke City's signature tactic—the throw-in grenade tactic.
When the referee's whistle rang out, Wilkinson swiftly raised the ball above his head and hurled it into the penalty area with all his strength.
Both of Stoke City's full-backs had practiced this routine. Their throws were long and accurate.
John Carew leaned against Pepe and kept pressing backward.
Pepe's physique was outstanding even among center-backs, but he was a head shorter than John Carew and had no advantage in strength. Since he also had to stand between Carew and the goal, he could only keep retreating.
John Carew was a target man, but his footwork was quite good as well.
Wilkinson's throw went straight into the left side of Man City's penalty area. After bouncing in front of John Carew, the Norwegian striker stuck out a foot and nudged it toward the byline. Pepe behind him fought with all his might to hold his position and stop Carew from turning.
But while the two were battling physically, Joe Hart, for some reason, came rushing off his line.
If he was going to come out, he should have done so as the throw entered the penalty area and plucked the ball out of the