Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Stoke City’s clash with West Ham was left in serious doubt following a power cut at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon, before eventually getting underway an hour after the scheduled kick off time.

The club announced that electricity has been lost in the stadium due to a power surge in the surrounding area.

The turnstiles were closed, leaving fans waiting outside in the cold, because of safety concerns and there was also no lighting in the concourses.

Stoke’s technicians were working on the problem to try and restore power, which was lost around 2pm, plunging much of the ground into gloom apart from the emergency lights.

That left technicians frantically working on the problem to try and restore power.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

At around 2:35PM, the club had to give up the ghost with regards getting the game underway at the original kickoff time of 3pm however.

The club announced they would make a further announcement after 3pm, leaving major concerns that the game would be postponed.

(Image: Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

However, at 2.50pm the lights came back on in and around the stadium, with the restored power allowing fans to enter the stadium, and also the green light to be given on the game going ahead.

Eventually, the Potters announced that the clash would commence at 4pm - an hour later than had been originally scheduled - leaving fans at the ground relieved.

Stoke had been hoping to get back to winning ways, having lost four of their last five, and with pressure growing on manager Mark Hughes.

Starting lineups

Stoke: Butland, Cameron, Shawcross, Wimmer, Pieters, Shaqiri, Fletcher, Allen, Ramadan, Diouf, Crouch.

West Ham: Adrian, Zabaleta, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Noble, Obiang, Lanzini, Arnautovic, Antonio.