Stoke City put in another great performance as they held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium.
The Potters have never lost at home to Man City in the Premier League and continued that good run of form going with a spirited display.
Both teams were limited to speculative efforts throughout and Stoke’s best chance came in the first half as Kenwyne Jones raced through but fired his shot straight at Joe Hart. At the other end, City once again failed to create much going forward and Manuel Pellegrini will be disappointed with more dropped points away from home.
Early in the game the Sky Blues dominated possession, with Samri Nasri having an early shot straight at Asmir Begovic as City started well against the Potters. Stoke came back into things and a curling cross missed everyone in the 12th minute.
There was much more of a midfield battle for much of the first half as Stoke proved what a difficult place the Britannia Stadium is to visit.
Midway through the first half Jones raced clear of City’s defense but the Stoke forward met an onrushing Hart who blocked his effort superbly. it turned out to be the best chance of the first half for both teams.
Stoke knocked numerous high crosses into the box as the Potters bombarded City’s defense with Jones a real problem for Pellegrini’s side.
In the 39th minute Charlie Adam hit a thunderous drive straight at Hart after a surging run from midfield as Stoke knocked on the door.
After the break the game continued to be a midfield battle, with both teams struggling to create clear cut chances. And despite numerous substitutions, neither side could find that extra bit of creativity to unlock two staunch defenses.
In the grand scheme of things a draw was a fair result. Back to the drawing board for Man City, while Stoke are unbeaten in three. Man City are fourth, while Stoke are seventh.
LINEUP
Stoke City: Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Adam (Arnautovic 70), Wilson, Etherington (Ireland 70); Jones (Crouch 70) Subs not used: Sorensen, Whelan, Pennant, Palacios.
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Garcia, Nastasic, Kolarov, Milner, Rodwell, Toure, Nasri (Navas 73), Negredo, Jovetic (Aguero, 63). Subs not used: Pantilimon, Lescott, Fernandinho, Dzeko, Boyata
