Stoke City against Manchester City

Five minutes of added time.

Time for one last long throw from Shotton, the ball falls to Jerome but he swings wildly and hits his shot over.

Desperate moments as Stoke attack, Etherington opts not to shoot and plays in Walters who crosses for Crouch but he can't meet it and the ball drops to Jerome whose shot is blocked before City clear the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Dzeko's name is taken for a challenge on Shawcross.

It seems unlikely that Stoke will find a response in the next five minutes.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Jack Rodwell takes to the pitch to replace Tevez. Aguero will drop into a central role, City are closing up shop.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Zabaleta puts Man City ahead!! Tevez and Silva break forward before pinging the ball to Aguero on the left who plays the ball across the area, it rolls all the way to the back post where Zabaleta meets it with a neat finish beyond Sorensen from close range.

A goal seems unlikely at the moment - the game has gone a bit stale.

Crouch is fouled 30 yards from goal but the decision goes against him as he is adjudged to be offside.

Patient play by Stoke has seen them retain possession for a period but they can't break down City's dogged defensive lines. Etherington's cross from the left is eventually headed over by Crouch who jumps above Lescott.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Milner booked for that foul.

Silva takes the corner - there is a lot of jostling in the box involving Walters, Shawcross and Dzeko - but the ball is cleared for Stoke to break until Etherington is tripped by Milner.

Aguero squeezes a shot in from an acute angle and earns another corner.

Good defensive work by Jerome, who chases Clichy down, gives City another corner. Milner's inswinger is headed away by Shotton - no real danger.

The game is getting stretched now and could be decided by a defensive error. 15 minutes remain and we are still goalless.

Dzeko charges into the box from the left wingand shoots across the face of goal but it goes narrowly wide, earning a corner, which is scrambled away by Stoke.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Double sub for Stoke - Crouch and Whitehead are on for Wilkinson and Jones.

Aguero drives forward again before pulling up claiming he was being held back but no free kick is given and Stoke break away - the attack is short lived as Pantilimon claims the cross easily.

Tevez makes space on the edge of the box and shoots but it is a bad hit and goes well wide.

A Milner corner is blocked by the first man - Mancini is not happy with that, gesturing wildly from the touchline.

The corner is claimed well by Pantilimon.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kightly goes off for Cameron Jerome - another big attacking option for Stoke.

Corner kick to Stoke after good work by Walters.

Kompany is watching the game from the tunnel in a Man City tracksuit - he doesn't look too happy.

Aguero is really driving City forward and pushing Stoke back since his arrival.

Barry should have possibly hit it first time.

Silva's searching ball finds Barry in the box but it is too fast for him and he miscontrols it before losing out to Sorensen - what a great ball by Silva to find Barry's run!

Aguero has gone on the left with Tevez and Dzeko remaining up front.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aguero replaces Kolarov.

Changes imminent - Aguero will come on for City and Whitehead is warming up for Stoke.

Whelan's low shot from distance reaches Pantilimon but he handles it well.

Nearly an hour and we patiently wait for our first goal. Kolarov gets the better of Shotton down the right and crosses but Dzeko can't fully meet it, great counter-attacking play from City.

City are upping the tempo in a bid to open the scoring, Silva trying to play Tevez into the box but he is crowded out.

Stoke are struggling to make any real chances here. Jones has been kept quiet all afternoon.

Kightly's long ball into the box is met by Shawcross and goes behind for a goal kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Tevez wins a free kick after Shotton challenges him meatily on the half way line.

Etherington crosses again but Clichy gets it away this time.

Etherington makes a rare foray forward and wins a throw, to be taken by Wilkinson which Barry heads away for another throw.

City are making much more use out of their possession, while consigning Stoke to sporadic bursts.

Tevez bolts down the right wing and holds off the challenge of Huth, not easy, before crossing into the box but no one is there to meet it.

Another injury as Kolarov and Walters clash heads and both go down in a heap. Webb is speaking to Garcia, I wonder what about?

Kolarov's low cross from the left is met by Dzeko but he has to swivel his shot and it doesn't quite work. He wins a corner though which is met by Barry who powerfully heads over.

The referee, Howard Webb, was close to the incident but Whelan has got away with it. Garcia is back on the pitch and not injured thankfully.

Whelan's two-footed jump onto Garcia could have easily earned him a red card. Very nasty.

The word on Kompany is that it is a calf strain. But City have a new injury worry as Garcia is down and in pain after a challenge from Whelan.

Stoke get us back underway.

The teams are back out for the second half at the Britannia Stadium.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2013/0126/ryanshawcrosscarlostevezbattle20130126_275x155.jpg"> Carlos Tevez has been at the centre of much of City's best play in the first half.

HALF TIME: Stoke 0-0 Manchester City. The visitors have dominated, mainly through the threat of Silva, who struck a post, and Tevez. Stoke have imposed themselves and are by no means being overrun, Shawcross's offside goal showing that they are a threat still.

Shotton's cross is headed away by Zabaleta.

One additional minute to be played.

Stoke are trying to string some passes together in the opposition half but City press and harry and hassle and give them no time on the ball before coming away with possession.

A jinking run from Tevez on the right culminates in him playing a low ball into the box but no one is there to meet it and Sorensen gathers calmly.

Excellent work from Silva plays Kolarov down the left, his teasing ball is touched by Dzeko into the path of Tevez who shoots wide, he should have done better.

Kolarov and Milner are playing as wing backs now.

There is a fair chance Stoke will look to step up the aerial bombardment now that City have changed their tactics and are lacking the leadership of Kompany.

Etherington's corner is punched away by Pantilimon.

City have gone into three at the back with Zabaleta, Lescott and Clichy.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Clichy on for Kompany.

Kolarov's low left wing cross flies across the goalmouth but Dzeko is just too slow to reach it.

Mancini is now in deep conversation with Kolarov but Clichy is getting stripped off ready to come on.

Mancini and Platt are on the touchline discussing what change to make, City, still down to ten men, could still bring Kompany back on.

Dzeko heads the corner away for a throw in.

Stoke corner after Lescott is hurried into a decision by Walters and he heads behind when Pantilimon could have claimed the long ball forward.

Tevez is offside to a chorus of boos. Still no City sub.

The free kick is straight into the arms of Pantilimon and City come away.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kolarov picks up a booking for a foul giving Stoke a free kick 30 yards from goal.

With Rodwell and Clichy on the bench they look to be the main options for City who are now playing with just ten men for the time being.

Kompany has now taken off his captain's armband and headed for the changing room. He controlled a long ball and landed awkwardly on his ankle with no one around him. Very unfortunate for City.

Kompany is in trouble - he looks to have signalled to the bench that he is injured and hobbles off the pitch.

The ball breaks into Tevez's path and he shoots low and hard but Huth manages to get his body in the way just in front of the line.

That bit of action has woken the home crowd up again. Very lively atmosphere.

Shawcross has the ball in the net from close range but he is flagged offside. After being second best for the opening 30 minutes a bit of chaotic pinball in the penalty area sees the hosts nearly take the lead against the run of play.

City cross from the left and then the right but their attackers are not winning the headers in the penalty area against Huth and Shawcross. Back to the drawing board.

Stoke have another long throw by Shotton but it is headed away at the near post by Kolarov.

City play some neat one-touch passes into the last third but it ends when Milner overhits a pass towards Zabaleta and Wilkinson comes away with the ball for Stoke.

Dzeko finds Tevez through three Stoke defenders with an expert through ball but he snatches at the shot and it goes high and wide.

Silva and Tevez are running the show for City.

City strike the inside of the post after Silva's curling effort from the right side of the penalty area catches Stoke and Sorensen off guard. Quality form the Spaniard.

Tevez charges the length of the pitch before laying the ball off to Dzeko on the edge of the area but his lazy shot is easily blocked.

Kolarov's free kick is easily collected by Sorensen.

Etherington fouls Zabaleta on the touchline, a late challenge, and City have a freekick deep in Stoke's half.

Tevez and Silva have looked lively in the opening quarter of an hour and will be the key men for City this afternoon.

Huth meets the corner but heads over. Great delivery left Pantilimon unsure whether to claim or stay on his line.

Javi Garcia's shot is charged down and Stoke come away, earning a corner after Whelan's shot is blocked by Garcia.

Shotton's long throw in from the right is punched by Pantilimon into the path of Silva who breaks away.

Lescott and Kompany are standing up well to the aerial bombardment of Jones and Walters but it will be a long afternoon for the City defenders.

Kolarov's free kick clears the wall but also the crossbar. Too much lift.

City now have a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after Dzeko is fouled by Shotton after a short corner.

Tevez finds space in the box and fires a low poerful shot at Sorensen's near post which the Dane parries behind for a corner. Great build-up play between Silva and Tevez.

Etherington manages to squeeze a cross from the byline on the left which is met by Jones' head but he is offside. It doesn't matter as Pantilimon catches easily.

Stoke lost 3-0 to Manchester City on New Year's Day but that was at the Etihad. They haven't had much luck at the Britannia in recent times.

Kightly and Shotton link up on the right wing before Shotton overhits his cross and it flies out for a City throw on the other side of the pitch.

Stoke edge their way up the left wing winning a succession of throw-ins before Huth's long ball goes into Pantilimon's arms.

Stoke haven't woken up yet it seems.

The corner is taken short and Silva fires an effort from the edge of the box but it goes sailing over the bar.

Great atmosphere from the crowd here. Dzeko wins a corner for City, his shot deflected wide.

A tiny sprinkling of snow remains around the edge of the playing field but generally the pitch is in good condition as Tevez and Dzeko get us underway.

Silva returns, and the teams are out...

The teams are waiting to come out at the Britannia Stadium but David Silva has been sent to change as he doesn't have the right kit on. Very strange.

Stoke team news: Sorensen, Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson, Kightly, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington, Walters, Jones

Manchester City team news: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Garcia, Barry, Milner, Tevez, Silva, Dzeko

However, Toure is away on international duty so he won't be involved today.

The two sides met in the 2011 FA Cup final, a game which City won 1-0 thanks to Yaya Toure's goal.

Join us for live commentary of Stoke v Manchester City.

The game is getting stretched now and could be decided by a defensive error. 15 minutes remain and we are still goalless.

Dzeko charges into the box from the left wingand shoots across the face of goal but it goes narrowly wide, earning a corner, which is scrambled away by Stoke.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Double sub for Stoke - Crouch and Whitehead are on for Wilkinson and Jones.

Aguero drives forward again before pulling up claiming he was being held back but no free kick is given and Stoke break away - the attack is short lived as Pantilimon claims the cross easily.

Tevez makes space on the edge of the box and shoots but it is a bad hit and goes well wide.

A Milner corner is blocked by the first man - Mancini is not happy with that, gesturing wildly from the touchline.

The corner is claimed well by Pantilimon.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kightly goes off for Cameron Jerome - another big attacking option for Stoke.

Corner kick to Stoke after good work by Walters.

Kompany is watching the game from the tunnel in a Man City tracksuit - he doesn't look too happy.

Aguero is really driving City forward and pushing Stoke back since his arrival.

Barry should have possibly hit it first time.

Silva's searching ball finds Barry in the box but it is too fast for him and he miscontrols it before losing out to Sorensen - what a great ball by Silva to find Barry's run!

Aguero has gone on the left with Tevez and Dzeko remaining up front.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aguero replaces Kolarov.

Changes imminent - Aguero will come on for City and Whitehead is warming up for Stoke.

Whelan's low shot from distance reaches Pantilimon but he handles it well.

Nearly an hour and we patiently wait for our first goal. Kolarov gets the better of Shotton down the right and crosses but Dzeko can't fully meet it, great counter-attacking play from City.

City are upping the tempo in a bid to open the scoring, Silva trying to play Tevez into the box but he is crowded out.

Stoke are struggling to make any real chances here. Jones has been kept quiet all afternoon.

Kightly's long ball into the box is met by Shawcross and goes behind for a goal kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Tevez wins a free kick after Shotton challenges him meatily on the half way line.

Etherington crosses again but Clichy gets it away this time.

Etherington makes a rare foray forward and wins a throw, to be taken by Wilkinson which Barry heads away for another throw.

City are making much more use out of their possession, while consigning Stoke to sporadic bursts.

Tevez bolts down the right wing and holds off the challenge of Huth, not easy, before crossing into the box but no one is there to meet it.

Another injury as Kolarov and Walters clash heads and both go down in a heap. Webb is speaking to Garcia, I wonder what about?

Kolarov's low cross from the left is met by Dzeko but he has to swivel his shot and it doesn't quite work. He wins a corner though which is met by Barry who powerfully heads over.

The referee, Howard Webb, was close to the incident but Whelan has got away with it. Garcia is back on the pitch and not injured thankfully.

Whelan's two-footed jump onto Garcia could have easily earned him a red card. Very nasty.

The word on Kompany is that it is a calf strain. But City have a new injury worry as Garcia is down and in pain after a challenge from Whelan.

Stoke get us back underway.

The teams are back out for the second half at the Britannia Stadium.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2013/0126/ryanshawcrosscarlostevezbattle20130126_275x155.jpg"> Carlos Tevez has been at the centre of much of City's best play in the first half.

HALF TIME: Stoke 0-0 Manchester City. The visitors have dominated, mainly through the threat of Silva, who struck a post, and Tevez. Stoke have imposed themselves and are by no means being overrun, Shawcross's offside goal showing that they are a threat still.

Shotton's cross is headed away by Zabaleta.

One additional minute to be played.

Stoke are trying to string some passes together in the opposition half but City press and harry and hassle and give them no time on the ball before coming away with possession.

A jinking run from Tevez on the right culminates in him playing a low ball into the box but no one is there to meet it and Sorensen gathers calmly.

Excellent work from Silva plays Kolarov down the left, his teasing ball is touched by Dzeko into the path of Tevez who shoots wide, he should have done better.

Kolarov and Milner are playing as wing backs now.

There is a fair chance Stoke will look to step up the aerial bombardment now that City have changed their tactics and are lacking the leadership of Kompany.

Etherington's corner is punched away by Pantilimon.

City have gone into three at the back with Zabaleta, Lescott and Clichy.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Clichy on for Kompany.

Kolarov's low left wing cross flies across the goalmouth but Dzeko is just too slow to reach it.

Mancini is now in deep conversation with Kolarov but Clichy is getting stripped off ready to come on.

Mancini and Platt are on the touchline discussing what change to make, City, still down to ten men, could still bring Kompany back on.

Dzeko heads the corner away for a throw in.

Stoke corner after Lescott is hurried into a decision by Walters and he heads behind when Pantilimon could have claimed the long ball forward.

Tevez is offside to a chorus of boos. Still no City sub.

The free kick is straight into the arms of Pantilimon and City come away.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kolarov picks up a booking for a foul giving Stoke a free kick 30 yards from goal.

With Rodwell and Clichy on the bench they look to be the main options for City who are now playing with just ten men for the time being.

Kompany has now taken off his captain's armband and headed for the changing room. He controlled a long ball and landed awkwardly on his ankle with no one around him. Very unfortunate for City.

Kompany is in trouble - he looks to have signalled to the bench that he is injured and hobbles off the pitch.

The ball breaks into Tevez's path and he shoots low and hard but Huth manages to get his body in the way just in front of the line.

That bit of action has woken the home crowd up again. Very lively atmosphere.

Shawcross has the ball in the net from close range but he is flagged offside. After being second best for the opening 30 minutes a bit of chaotic pinball in the penalty area sees the hosts nearly take the lead against the run of play.

City cross from the left and then the right but their attackers are not winning the headers in the penalty area against Huth and Shawcross. Back to the drawing board.

Stoke have another long throw by Shotton but it is headed away at the near post by Kolarov.

City play some neat one-touch passes into the last third but it ends when Milner overhits a pass towards Zabaleta and Wilkinson comes away with the ball for Stoke.

Dzeko finds Tevez through three Stoke defenders with an expert through ball but he snatches at the shot and it goes high and wide.

Silva and Tevez are running the show for City.

City strike the inside of the post after Silva's curling effort from the right side of the penalty area catches Stoke and Sorensen off guard. Quality form the Spaniard.

Tevez charges the length of the pitch before laying the ball off to Dzeko on the edge of the area but his lazy shot is easily blocked.

Kolarov's free kick is easily collected by Sorensen.

Etherington fouls Zabaleta on the touchline, a late challenge, and City have a freekick deep in Stoke's half.

Tevez and Silva have looked lively in the opening quarter of an hour and will be the key men for City this afternoon.

Huth meets the corner but heads over. Great delivery left Pantilimon unsure whether to claim or stay on his line.

Javi Garcia's shot is charged down and Stoke come away, earning a corner after Whelan's shot is blocked by Garcia.

Shotton's long throw in from the right is punched by Pantilimon into the path of Silva who breaks away.

Lescott and Kompany are standing up well to the aerial bombardment of Jones and Walters but it will be a long afternoon for the City defenders.

Kolarov's free kick clears the wall but also the crossbar. Too much lift.

City now have a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after Dzeko is fouled by Shotton after a short corner.

Tevez finds space in the box and fires a low poerful shot at Sorensen's near post which the Dane parries behind for a corner. Great build-up play between Silva and Tevez.

Etherington manages to squeeze a cross from the byline on the left which is met by Jones' head but he is offside. It doesn't matter as Pantilimon catches easily.

Stoke lost 3-0 to Manchester City on New Year's Day but that was at the Etihad. They haven't had much luck at the Britannia in recent times.

Kightly and Shotton link up on the right wing before Shotton overhits his cross and it flies out for a City throw on the other side of the pitch.

Stoke edge their way up the left wing winning a succession of throw-ins before Huth's long ball goes into Pantilimon's arms.

Stoke haven't woken up yet it seems.

The corner is taken short and Silva fires an effort from the edge of the box but it goes sailing over the bar.

Great atmosphere from the crowd here. Dzeko wins a corner for City, his shot deflected wide.

A tiny sprinkling of snow remains around the edge of the playing field but generally the pitch is in good condition as Tevez and Dzeko get us underway.

Silva returns, and the teams are out...

The teams are waiting to come out at the Britannia Stadium but David Silva has been sent to change as he doesn't have the right kit on. Very strange.

Stoke team news: Sorensen, Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson, Kightly, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington, Walters, Jones

Manchester City team news: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Garcia, Barry, Milner, Tevez, Silva, Dzeko

However, Toure is away on international duty so he won't be involved today.

The two sides met in the 2011 FA Cup final, a game which City won 1-0 thanks to Yaya Toure's goal.

Join us for live commentary of Stoke v Manchester City.