Stoke City midfielder Glen Whelan says the players are meeting manager Tony Pulis' Christmas challenge.

Stoke are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions since the turn of the year and Whelan says the players are delivering on a rallying call from Pulis.

"The manager gave us a challenge after Christmas, to go on a run and prove everybody wrong. I think we are doing that," he told The Sentinel.

"With the effort and the commitment we can put in, we always know we've got half-a-chance whoever we're playing."