Stoke City and Swansea City played out a 1-1 draw in their Premier League clash at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.
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The Potters started the game well and they duly took the lead in the 17th minute when Peter Odemwingie raided into the box and fired an effort at goal. It hit the post but rebounded into the path of Crouch, who slotted it into the net.
Mark Hughes's side almost made it two when Marko Arnautovic picked up the ball and beat a couple of challenges before shooting at goal. His effort looked to heading into the net but Michel Vorm made an impressive save to keep the ball out.
Swansea responded and Wayne Routledge sped down the right and lifted a cross into the penalty area, which was too high for the head of Wilfried Bony, but fell kindly to Jose Canas who could only direct his effort over the bar.
After half time, the Swans got their leveller as Chico Flores powered a header past Asmir Begovic from Pablo Hernandez's cross, after his initial corner had been partially cleared by the home side's defence.
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The visitors began to take the initiative in the game and they came close to taking the lead when Nathan Dyer found Bony inside the box. The striker's low effort beat Begovic but not Ryan Shawcross on the line, who managed to clear the ball away.
Stoke survived late pressure again to hold out for the point. This time Begovic was the man to save them as he made a great stop to deny a powerful strike from substitute Jonathan de Guzman, whose effort looked to be creeping into the net.
Simon Sinclair
