Mark Hughes: 'Defeat to Blackburn Rovers fully deserved'

Peter Crouch had given Stoke the lead before a hat-trick from Joshua King helped Rovers to a convincing victory over the Potters, who had defender Geoff Cameron sent off just before half time for a professional foul.

Hughes told BBC Sport: "We were well beaten today, credit to Blackburn, they put the ball in good areas and used the threats they had up front.

"We didn't deal with it all afternoon, we got our noses in front without really dictating Blackburn. We allowed them to get back into the game. Blackburn deserved to go through.

"For the red card, there was a little bit of contact, I have seen them given, I have seen them not given. If you don't do the fundamentals, you are liable to get punished. Absolutely no complaint, we didn't deserve anything today."

Stoke's next fixture sees them travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League next Saturday.