A devastating three goal burst in 19 first-half minutes saw Stoke book their first ever appearance at Wembley in an FA Cup Final following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Bolton. Bolton started off brightly but once Stoke displayed their clinical finishing skills the game was all over by half-time with Wanderers supporters beginning to leave Wembley Stadium once the third goal arrived.
Matthew Etherington opened the scoring after 11 minutes collecting a loose Bolton pass before firing home a glorious 30 yard effort.
Six minutes later and the Potters doubled their lead as the Wanderers defence allowed central defender Robert Huth too much time to hammer a shot past the late diving Jussi Jaaskelainen.
It was dream time for Stoke boss Tony Pulis and the elated Potters supporters when number three came along. Again Bolton were architects of their own downfall.
The disappointing Martin Petrov gave away possession to Jermaine Pennant who raced clear to release Kenwyne Jones who finished clinically.
A shell-shocked Bolton never looked like getting back into the game as their long ball tactics to Kevin Davies proved easy for the Potters rearguard to deal with.
Stoke were much sharper in their passing and posed a constant threat on the break with their wide-men Pennant and Etherington.
Thomas Sorensen the Stoke keeper was a virtual spectator for what turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Their control continued after the break and Bolton boss Owen Coyle looked a broken figure on the bench as their hopes of reaching a first Cup Final since 1958 were comprehensively buried.
In fact Stoke made it four on 68 minutes through former Wanderers player Jonathan Walters who was allowed to run free and strike a shot, with again Jaaskelainen looking slow to react.
This goal did signal a mass exodus of Bolton supporters who had seen enough from their underperforming team in the most one-sided semi-final for twenty years.
Those that chose to stay then saw Bolton's humiliation complete as Walter's made it five late-on and a Stoke return to Wembley for a meeting with Manchester City in the final.
Referee: Howard Webb
Venue: Wembley Attendance: 75,000
Bolton scorers: Stoke scorers: Etherington 11, Huth 17, Jones 30, Walters 68, 81
BOLTON 22 Jaaskelainen 02 Steinsson 04 Robinson (yellow card) 05 Cahill (yellow card) 12 Knight 06 Muamba (Moreno 73) 10 Petrov (M Davies 46) 27 Lee 09 Elmander 14 Davies 17 Klasnic (Taylor 46)
Substitutes 01 Bogdan, 25 Alonso, 31 Wheater, 07 Taylor, 16 Davies, 21 Cohen, 19 Moreno
STOKE 29 Sorensen 04 Huth 17 Shawcross 28 Wilkinson 06 Whelan 12 Wilson 16 Pennant (Whitehead 78) 24 Delap 26 Etherington (Pugh 87) 09 Jones (Fuller 84) 19 Walters
Substitutes 27 Nash, 25 Faye, 14 Pugh, 15 Diao, 18 Whitehead, 10 Fuller, 22 Carew
Click here for the No1 coverage of all the gossip and transfer news around Bolton Wanderers.
Click here for the No1 coverage of all the gossip and transfer news around Stoke City.