Stoke draw United at home

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Stoke draw United at home

Manchester United have lost their only points of the season when the Red Devils were drawn 1-1 by Stoke City yesterday at the Britannia stadium.
Nani opened the score for Alex Ferguson’s side amid the first half, while Peter Crouch leveled the score early in the second part to earn his team the ninth point of the season. Stoke were the first to trouble De Gea early in the third minute when Wison’s long cross was held by the Spanish keeper. With Wayne Rooney out for weeks, United played Hernandez and Berbatov in attack, but neither of them could find the net.
Stoke were the first to concede a yellow card through Whelan who was cautioned in the eighth minute for a tough challenge on Evra. Ferguson was forced to made the first change in the 11^th minute as he replaced injured Hernandez with Michael Owen, whose presence was crucial in League Cup’s game earlier this week.
Owen got his first shy chance in the 24^th minute, his shot reaching the stands. But just a couple of minutes later, Nani opened the score for United following an impressive persona action which saw the winger beat three marks, penetrate the box and beat the keeper down the near post from 15 yards or so.
The hosts broke back immediately through Wilkinson whose half volley was deflected at the death by a vigilant De Gea who rescued his side from a potential disaster. United mocked the biggest opportunity of the game in the 30^th minute when Young forced Shawcross to deliver a terrible passback to Begovic. Nani contacted the ball only to strike it over the bar.
Stoke got yet another big chance three minutes later through Walters whose finish was blocked by De Gea in what should have been the leveler. On minute later Woodgate mocked a golden chance for the same Stoke, missing the target from close range. With four minute left in the first half, Jones’s dangerous cross was also saved by Shawcross.
The half time went 1-0 to United who were still struggling to cement the lead against a stubborn Stoke who were also chasing the leveler desperately. Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch evened the situation in the 52^nd minute, following a perfect cross taken from the right which the striker headed it into the roof of the net from close range.
He got his second opportunity in the 54^th minute when the tallest man on the pitch struck it straight at De Gea from the edge of the box. De Gea, who was among the best players on the pitch, made another great save in the 66^th minute as the Spaniard denied Wilson’s free kick which could have put the away side in huge difficulty. Manchester made a couple of changes in the 68^th minute, introducing Ryan Giggs and Welbeck for Berbatov and Young Ashely respectively.
Tony Pulis used his first substitution with ten minutes left in the game, replacing Wilkinson with Robert Huth. Dean Whitehead also entered the pitch a couple of minutes later with Rory Delap making way for him. Meanwhile, Crouch missed another chance in the 81^st minute when his header missed the target inches.
Giggs mocked a golden chance with one minute left as the Red Devils veteran volleyed a perfect cross from Nani wide from inside the box. The game finished 1-1 but United remain top spot in the Premier League table with 16 points won in six games. As for Stoke, they are seventh with nine points, including two wins and three draws.
Sir Alex Ferguson looked pleased with his side’s showing, despite they lost two precious points which could have re opened the gap to two points against their main followers and local rivals City. “I was pleased with the performance from the lads – they battled really hard and played like real champions. If Stoke were going to score it was probably going to be from a set-piece. They’ve got some big lads in their team and they do keep you under pressure that way,” he said.
Manchester will next meet newly promoted Norwich City, while Stoke City visit another newly promoted Swansea City next Sunday.
Stoke City – Begovic; Wilson, Woodgate, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Etherington, Whelan, Delap, Pennant; Walters, Crouch. Reserves: R. Shotton, W. Palacios, T. Sorensen, M. Upson, R. Huth, D. Whitehead, C. Jerome.
Manchester United – De Gea; Valencia, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Young; Berbatov, Hernandez; Reserves: Fabio, Park, A. Lindegaard, M. Owen, R. Giggs, D. Welbeck, F. Macheda.

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