played in the final as West Ham lost 1–0 to Crystal Palace. The following year, West Ham reached the play-off final again, with Etherington setting up the goal in the final against Preston North End with a perfectly timed cross which was scored by Bobby Zamora, which sent West Ham back into the Premier League. In 2005–06, West Ham made the FA Cup Final before losing on penalties to Liverpool. Etherington scored in the 4–2, fourth round win against Blackburn Rovers and played in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2005. He was a regular member of the team for seasons 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06, his appearances being more sporadic in the following three seasons. Etherington eventually lost his place in the starting XI due to Gianfranco Zola's preference to play younger players. He completed 195 games for West Ham, in all competitions, scoring 18 goals, before being sold to Stoke City on 8 January 2009. Stoke City On 8 January 2009, Etherington completed a transfer, thought to be for £2 million, from West Ham United to Stoke City, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut for Stoke two days after his transfer, against Liverpool in the Premier League, in a match which finished goalless. He was sent off in his fifth game with Stoke for kicking out at Danny Collins as his side lost 2–0 to Sunderland. He scored his first goal for Stoke in a 4–3 League Cup win over Blackpool on 22 September 2009. Etherington scored his first League goal for Stoke in a 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Etherington went on to have a successful season for Stoke which led him to win the player of the year award. Etherington signed a new four-year contract with Stoke on 11 July 2010. Etherington started the 2010–11 season in fine form providing a number of assists from corners and left midfield. He scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 win over West Bromwich Albion and followed this up by scoring a last minute equaliser against Manchester City a week later and then scored another against Wigan Athletic. He scored the opening goal in the FA Cup semi-final as Stoke defeated Bolton Wanderers 5–0, clinching a first FA Cup Final appearance in their 148-year history. Etherington described the performance as the match of their lives. On 28 April, in a match