Premier League Week 4-Write up Stoke v Manchester City

Stoke 1-1 Manchester City

The Britannia Stadium has long been seen as a fortress for Stoke and it once again as they surprisingly picked up  point against the champions in a a game that proved Stoke can give anyone a tough match on their day.

Despite being tough to beat at home few expected Stoke to actually take the lead against Manchester City but that's exactly what they did around 15 minutes in thanks to a controversial Peter Crouch goal that Roberto Mancini later described as being like "basketball". Whilst the goal it's self was controversial it was yet more proof that Manchester City have genuine defensive issues this season and after 4 Premier League games they have yet to keep a clean sheet.

Despite falling behind Manchester City again showed their fighting spirit and just 20 minutes later they equalised thanks to deubtant Javi Garcia who netted past Asmir Begovic to draw level. From then on it was almost all City who repeatedly came close to taking the lead as Stoke were forced to hold on. Despite probably deserving all 3 points Manchester City couldn't muster a second and will likely be kicking themselves for missing some great chances.

Stoke haven't had an easy start to the season but will feel very happy that they've managed to pick up points against both Arsenal and Manchester City already this season, two games where they were perhaps not expected to get anything. Despite having not lost a game so far in the Premier League they've also not won any this season. perhaps showing their biggest issue, they are hard to beat, but they lack a game winning killer instinct that they may need if they will to finish in the top half.

This is certainly a case of 2 points lost rather than 1 point earned for Manchester City who have again conceded against a team who took a chance despite being dominated. Until City manage to sort themselves out at the back they will struggle. They are excellent going forward and have a huge number of threats but seem completely unable to stop opponents scoring, against the top teams they will be punished.