Stoke City 0 - 0 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Adam Bailey

My thoughts

For me, the result was predictable from the start. Although Manuel Pellegrini went with a workman-like side extremely capable of combating Stoke's main strengths, the Britannia blues just won't go away and not many will have predicted a City win.

A tough day for Samir Nasri
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Unfortunately, it was hard to take positives. The likes of Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure gave typically uninterested performances and levels of creativity were alarmingly low.

Match Reflection: Stoke City 0 - 0 Manchester City

City suffer from Britannia blues

By Adam Bailey

Pellegrini’s men continued their rotten record at the Britannia Stadium in a barely watchable bore draw on Saturday afternoon.

Álvaro Negredo, Jack Rodwell, Aleksander Kolarov, James Milner and Stevan Jovetić all made starts in a new look side, but were ultimately useless in a performance many City fans will want to forget.

Joe Hart makes the only real save of the game to deny Stoke taking the lead
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

The Blues started promisingly and enjoyed long spells of possession, however, the Potters had a purpose about their play and looked the more likely team to score. Jonathan Walters squandered a number of chances to put his side in front and Joe Hart was on top form to deny Kenwyne Jones. Jovetić came close with a speculative volley, but goalscoring opportunities were limited.

Match Preview: Stoke City vs Manchester City

City looking to end poor record at the Britannia

By Alex Mason

The last time the Blues beat Stoke City away from home in the First Division was in 1982, with the blues coming out 3-1 winners, explaining that Saturday's trip to the Potteries will be a difficult one as the Blues will be set to have their work cut out. Last season's away record was evidently the reason why bitter rivals Manchester United won the title as City, under previous manager Roberto Mancini, dropped a massive 24 points.

"From Z to A" - Aguero and Zabaleta will be hoping to capitalise on Argentina's World Cup Qualification this week
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Fast forward to this season, and Manuel Pellegrini’s side looked a bit nervous against two newly promoted sides in Cardiff City and Hull City. However, Pellegrini will be pleased that his new look side still managed to score four goals within the two games, but there will be a number of defensive worries, with the team looking totally different without captain Vincent Kompany.

In the Spotlight: Stoke City

No. 4: Mark Hughes, Stoke's home "fortress" and new signing Erik Pieters

By Alex Mason

Ahead of this weekend’s clash against Stoke City, we caught up with Potters fan Niall Cope (@copiee), as he talks about Manchester City’s chances of winning the title and how Stoke will fair on Saturday against the Blues. 

Photo: Flickr

City vs Stoke: Match Preview

Premier event before Real deal

By Dave Walker

As a summer of outstanding UK sporting success draws to a close Manchester City will be hoping that it won’t be a case of Rule Britannia when they travel to face Tony Pulis’ ‘pugilists’ from the Potteries.

The exciting escapades of Andy Murray, Bradley Wiggins and Team GB will be the last thing in the minds of Roberto Mancini’s men as they take on the hostile surroundings of the Britannia Stadium, and opponents renowned for their ‘fighting characteristics’.

One can but admire the tenacity of the home support and, with just four junctions of the M6 separating the two cities, it will be an especially intense affair.

City vs Stoke: Match Report

Crouch's stunning volley puts a dent in City's title race

By Aaron Leggott

Manchester City regained their place at the top of the Premier League after salvaging a point at the Britannia Stadium.

After a very poor first half, it took an absolute stunning effort from Peter Crouch to wake up the visitors, who replied with an unforgettable strike of their own as Yaya Toure's 35 yard effort found the net with 15 minutes remaining.