STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (CMC) — Kenwyne Jones and Jermaine Pennant, two players with links to the Caribbean, helped Stoke City end any mathematical or other chances Arsenal had of winning the English Premier League yesterday with a 3-1 victory.

Jones, the towering Trinidad & Tobago striker, and Pennant, whose father is Jamaican, scored first half goals which put the top of the table dream way, way beyond reach of Arsene Wenger’s side.

Stoke grabbed the lead in the 28th minute when Andrey Arshavin pushed Pennant close to the corner flag, and allowed the winger to clip over a free-kick.

Jones easily evaded the company of Johan Djourou and diverted the ball over the line with his chest, much to the delight of the Stoke faithful, if not the Soca Warriors striker, presumably too embarrassed by such a gift.

Pennant forged Stoke further ahead, when he cut in from the left, and was allowed to advance unchallenged.

Djourou arrived belatedly to meet him, and the winger fired in a shot which deflected off the defender and over Wojciech Szczesny in the 40th minute.

As the match meandered to its close, chances came at both ends. Robin van Persie cut the deficit for Arsenal in the 81st minute when Stoke net-minder Asmir Begovic allowed a shot from the Gunners’ star to roll under him, and over the line.

A minute later, Djourou’s capped his miserable afternoon with a meek clearance that fell to Jonathan Walters, whose shot was unerring.

Stoke now spend this week focusing on the FA Cup Final against Manchester City next Saturday at Wembley, hoping for similar accuracy from Jones and Pennant.