The on-loan Arsenal man turned in a fine display on the left of the Blues midfield and again added an exciting dimension that Stoke found hard to cope with all afternoon.

But despite a succession of pacy raids that had ex-Pompey man Andy Griffin in all kinds of problems, Traore saw a clutch of decent chances go begging as City goalkeeper Steve Simonsen produced some fine saves.

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Traore sighed: 'Tony Adams told me I'm getting closer and closer to scoring.

'Unfortunately, it didn't happen this time but it will happen when it happens. I'm sure I will score soon.

'I've had some good chances so far this season, but the goalkeepers have made some great saves against me.

'But I'm sure it will be good when I eventually score and I'll just keep trying.'

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Although Stoke threatened from their long throw-ins and set-pieces, the home defence coped with everything else that came their way.

Traore said: 'It was a hard game and we knew it would be before the game. We had to win a lot of headers and tackles.

'It was a real test for us so soon after the game in Portugal, but I think we did well to cope.'

And rather than feeling any fatigue, Traore believes the extra-time in Portugal actually gave his fitness a timely boost.

He said: 'Playing extra-time really helped my fitness. I was so tired playing extra-time in Portugal, but I think I really needed that.

'To just do that extra running was good. I'm sure I will be better for that now.'

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