Result: Stoke City 1-1 Manchester City
© PA Photos
Manchester City have moved back to the top of the Premier League table despite being held 1-1 by Stoke City on Saturday.
It was the away side who secured early control of the match, but it was Jonathan Walters of Stoke who tested the palms of Joe Hart with ten minutes on the clock.
Cameron Jerome was next to go close for Stoke, but he just could not make contact after a smart header from Peter Crouch.
The match was being played at a surprisingly low tempo as the 20-minute mark approached, with Manchester City looking dangerous on the outskirts of the home side's box.
Edin Dzeko headed City's best chance of the half over the bar after 33 minutes, with Stoke defending well.
The Potters ended the first period well, however, and they so nearly opened the scoring with a Ryan Shawcross header after 40 minutes, but Pablo Zabaleta cleared the danger.
Dzeko came close moments into the second period, but was denied by a smart save by Asmir Begovic before the Stoke goalkeeper denied Samir Nasri moments later.
Stoke took the lead after 59 minutes with an exceptional volley from Crouch, who struck an effort into the top corner which flew past Hart.
Mario Balotelli began to cut an increasingly isolated figure in the latter stages of the half, and clashed with Jermaine Pennant after 67 minutes.
Carlos Tevez was introduced for the away side after 74 minutes, and they levelled the match after 76 minutes when Yaya Toure smashed an effort past Begovic from long range.
Stoke tired in the latter stages, with City looking the most likely to secure all three points via a late Toure effort. The winner never came, however, with a point seemingly a fair result.
It was the away side who secured early control of the match, but it was Jonathan Walters of Stoke who tested the palms of Joe Hart with ten minutes on the clock.
Cameron Jerome was next to go close for Stoke, but he just could not make contact after a smart header from Peter Crouch.
The match was being played at a surprisingly low tempo as the 20-minute mark approached, with Manchester City looking dangerous on the outskirts of the home side's box.
Edin Dzeko headed City's best chance of the half over the bar after 33 minutes, with Stoke defending well.
The Potters ended the first period well, however, and they so nearly opened the scoring with a Ryan Shawcross header after 40 minutes, but Pablo Zabaleta cleared the danger.
Dzeko came close moments into the second period, but was denied by a smart save by Asmir Begovic before the Stoke goalkeeper denied Samir Nasri moments later.
Stoke took the lead after 59 minutes with an exceptional volley from Crouch, who struck an effort into the top corner which flew past Hart.
Mario Balotelli began to cut an increasingly isolated figure in the latter stages of the half, and clashed with Jermaine Pennant after 67 minutes.
Carlos Tevez was introduced for the away side after 74 minutes, and they levelled the match after 76 minutes when Yaya Toure smashed an effort past Begovic from long range.
Stoke tired in the latter stages, with City looking the most likely to secure all three points via a late Toure effort. The winner never came, however, with a point seemingly a fair result.
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