Mark Hughes: 'Two sides cancelled each other out'

Mark Hughes has admitted that Stoke City and Crystal Palace "cancelled each other out" during their 1-1 Premier League draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

James McArthur put the hosts into an 11th-minute lead, but Peter Crouch's second goal in as many games levelled the contest only two minutes later.

An action-packed opening slowly descended into a scrappy affair, and Hughes has conceded that both teams were happy to settle for their point in the final stages.

"This is always a difficult place to come for away teams, we knew that we had to set our stall out and be resolute," he told reporters.

"After the goals the two teams effectively cancelled each other out, we were trying to get the ball down to pass and move, but it was difficult on the pitch. It was a contrast of styles to an extent but as the game wore on, both teams wanted to make sure they protected the point.

"There was not a lot to get excited about, but sometimes as an away team the onus isn't on you to carry the fight, sometimes the entertainment has to come from both teams."

The result sees the Potters climb one place to 11th in the table, while Palace drop down to 16th.