Marc Muniesa wants to be a centre-half – on this evidence the former Barcelona starlet could find himself at centre-forward. Stoke are yet to score at home in the Barclays Premier League this season but are unbeaten on the road and their Spanish left back was the unlikely hero, scoring twice to sink last season’s beaten finalists. The 22-year-old is seen as understudy to Erik Pieters at Stoke but his two emphatic strikes at the Stadium of Light could have the likes of Peter Crouch and Mame Biram Diouf looking over their shoulders. American striker Jozy Altidore opens the scoring for Sunderland, assist was from Will Buckley . La Masia graduate Marc Muniesa beats John O'Shea to score and get Stoke back on level terms . Despite an impressive record in Holland, the goal was only Altidore's third since moving to Sunderland . Former Barcelona defender Muniesa celebrates scoring the equaliser for Mark Hughes' side . Muniesa, having not scored prior to this game since his time in Segunda, celebrates scoring the winner . Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Pantilimon 6; Vergini 6, O’Shea 6, Coates 5 (Van Aanholt 46, 6), Jones 7; Bridcutt 7; Buckley 7, Gomez 5.5, Rodwell 6.5 (Alvarez 76, 5), Johnson 5; Altidore 6.5 . Subs: Mannone, Cattermole, Larsson, Mavrias, Graham . Goals: Altidore 16 . Booked: Rodwell, Altidore . Stoke (4-2-3-1): Butland 7.5; Bardsley 6.5, Shawcross 6, Huth 6, Muniesa 8.5; N’Zonzi 6, Adam 6; Arnautovic 5.5 (Moses 82) Ireland 5.5, Assaidi 7 (Crouch 84); Diouf 5 . Subs: Sorensen, Pieters, Sidwell, Bojan, Wilkinson . Goals: Muniesa 31, 72 . Booked: N’Zonzi, Huth . Referee: Mike Dean 7 . And Potters boss Mark Hughes said:  ‘He’s only ever scored four goals in his career. Given his pedigree, we know he is technically gifted and I can play him at centre half or left back. He’s probably got the ability to play in midfield. ‘Because of that ability he’s able to affect the game when he finds himself in different areas of the field, and that’s what he did.’ Muniesa — who made his Barca debut at 17 — had not scored since his days in the Segunda Division with their B team. The Spanish under-21 international smashed a sumptuous response to Jozy Altidore’s 16th-miniute opener for Sunderland, holding off John O’Shea before driving through the legs of Costel Pantilimon. Both sides were lucky to finish the half with 11 men after Jack Rodwell’s late lunge triggered a throat-grabbing retaliation from Steven Nzonzi, a confrontation for which both were booked. Will Buckley twice went close to restoring Sunderland’s advantage before Muniesa struck again after 72 minutes. Charlie Adam pus in a crunching tackle on former Everton and Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell . Oussama Assaidi, on loan from Liverpool, and Santiago Vergini battle for the ball at the Stadium of Light . Sunderland manager Gus Poyet greets Stoke City's Mark Hughes before their League Cup clash . Stoke goalscorer Muniesa moves past Buckley, who provided the assist for Altidore's opener . Central midfielders jack Rodwell and Steven N'Zonzi square up during their Capital One Cup match . Pantilimon — who played against Sunderland for Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final in March — elected to punch clear but Muniesa won his tussle for possession with Adam Johnson before blasting past the keeper. Poyet at least had Altidore’s first goal in 30 matches to celebrate and it was impressive in its execution. The American rolled Robert Huth on the fringe of the area before shooting into the bottom corner. Poyet said: ‘It was important for him. It’s been difficult for him. He knows he needs to score to convince people. ‘I don’t think we played badly. Some decisions didn’t go our way, like the player grabbing (Rodwell) by the neck. The rules say that is a red card.’ Hughes, though, felt Stoke’s victory was well deserved, saying: ‘Yes, (goalkeeper) Jack Butland was excellent, but the best team won on the night.’ Mame Biram Diouf has impressed so far this season,and scored a brilliant goal against Manchester City . Goalscorers Muniesa and Altidore come together at the Stadium of Light while Diouf and Assaidi look on . Assaidi attempts to escape the attention of Sunderland pair Sebastian Coates and Liam Bridcutt . Adam Johnson rides a challenge from Sengalese former Manchester United man Diouf . Managers Mark Hughes and Gus Poyet patrol the touchline at the Stadium of Light .
Stoke beat Sunderland in Capital One Cup third round .
Steven Fletcher and Emanuele Giaccherini missed out through injury .
Jozy Altidore scored his first goal of the season for Sunderland .
Mark Muniesa equalised for Stoke before half time .
Muniesa then grabbed his second with 20 minutes left .
Marc Muniesa wants to be a centre-half – on this evidence the former Barcelona starlet could find himself at centre-forward. Stoke are yet to score at home in the Barclays Premier League this season but are unbeaten on the road and their Spanish left back was the unlikely hero, scoring twice to sink last season’s beaten finalists. The 22-year-old is seen as understudy to Erik Pieters at Stoke but his two emphatic strikes at the Stadium of Light could have the likes of Peter Crouch and Mame Biram Diouf looking over their shoulders. American striker Jozy Altidore opens the scoring for Sunderland, assist was from Will Buckley . La Masia graduate Marc Muniesa beats John O'Shea to score and get Stoke back on level terms . Despite an impressive record in Holland, the goal was only Altidore's third since moving to Sunderland . Former Barcelona defender Muniesa celebrates scoring the equaliser for Mark Hughes' side . Muniesa, having not scored prior to this game since his time in Segunda, celebrates scoring the winner . Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Pantilimon 6; Vergini 6, O’Shea 6, Coates 5 (Van Aanholt 46, 6), Jones 7; Bridcutt 7; Buckley 7, Gomez 5.5, Rodwell 6.5 (Alvarez 76, 5), Johnson 5; Altidore 6.5 . Subs: Mannone, Cattermole, Larsson, Mavrias, Graham . Goals: Altidore 16 . Booked: Rodwell, Altidore . Stoke (4-2-3-1): Butland 7.5; Bardsley 6.5, Shawcross 6, Huth 6, Muniesa 8.5; N’Zonzi 6, Adam 6; Arnautovic 5.5 (Moses 82) Ireland 5.5, Assaidi 7 (Crouch 84); Diouf 5 . Subs: Sorensen, Pieters, Sidwell, Bojan, Wilkinson . Goals: Muniesa 31, 72 . Booked: N’Zonzi, Huth . Referee: Mike Dean 7 . And Potters boss Mark Hughes said:  ‘He’s only ever scored four goals in his career. Given his pedigree, we know he is technically gifted and I can play him at centre half or left back. He’s probably got the ability to play in midfield. ‘Because of that ability he’s able to affect the game when he finds himself in different areas of the field, and that’s what he did.’ Muniesa — who made his Barca debut at 17 — had not scored since his days in the Segunda Division with their B team. The Spanish under-21 international smashed a sumptuous response to Jozy Altidore’s 16th-miniute opener for Sunderland, holding off John O’Shea before driving through the legs of Costel Pantilimon. Both sides were lucky to finish the half with 11 men after Jack Rodwell’s late lunge triggered a throat-grabbing retaliation from Steven Nzonzi, a confrontation for which both were booked. Will Buckley twice went close to restoring Sunderland’s advantage before Muniesa struck again after 72 minutes. Charlie Adam pus in a crunching tackle on former Everton and Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell . Oussama Assaidi, on loan from Liverpool, and Santiago Vergini battle for the ball at the Stadium of Light . Sunderland manager Gus Poyet greets Stoke City's Mark Hughes before their League Cup clash . Stoke goalscorer Muniesa moves past Buckley, who provided the assist for Altidore's opener . Central midfielders jack Rodwell and Steven N'Zonzi square up during their Capital One Cup match . Pantilimon — who played against Sunderland for Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final in March — elected to punch clear but Muniesa won his tussle for possession with Adam Johnson before blasting past the keeper. Poyet at least had Altidore’s first goal in 30 matches to celebrate and it was impressive in its execution. The American rolled Robert Huth on the fringe of the area before shooting into the bottom corner. Poyet said: ‘It was important for him. It’s been difficult for him. He knows he needs to score to convince people. ‘I don’t think we played badly. Some decisions didn’t go our way, like the player grabbing (Rodwell) by the neck. The rules say that is a red card.’ Hughes, though, felt Stoke’s victory was well deserved, saying: ‘Yes, (goalkeeper) Jack Butland was excellent, but the best team won on the night.’ Mame Biram Diouf has impressed so far this season,and scored a brilliant goal against Manchester City . Goalscorers Muniesa and Altidore come together at the Stadium of Light while Diouf and Assaidi look on . Assaidi attempts to escape the attention of Sunderland pair Sebastian Coates and Liam Bridcutt . Adam Johnson rides a challenge from Sengalese former Manchester United man Diouf . Managers Mark Hughes and Gus Poyet patrol the touchline at the Stadium of Light .
shoulders. American striker Jozy Altidore opens game since his time in Segunda, celebrates 16th-miniute opener for Sunderland, holding off John O’Shea before driving through the legs of Gus Poyet greets Stoke City's Mark Hughes before Capital One Cup match . Pantilimon — who played keeper. Poyet at least had Altidore’s first goal Manchester City . Goalscorers Muniesa and