City drop points at Stoke

Manchester United's unlikely hero in the title race this weekend was former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Crouch's wonder goal meant Manchester City had to come from behind at the Britannia to pick up a point against Stoke City on Saturday evening.

And although the result took the Blues back to the top of the table on goal difference, there were no smiles from Mancini or his men at the final whistle. Rather, the overriding feeling was disappointment. United now have a chance to pull three points clear at the top when Fulham come to Old Trafford on Monday night.

City struggled at Stoke and, following a first half that featured a distinct lack of goalmouth action (save for Ryan Shawcross' header requiring a last-ditch intervention by City defender Pablo Zabaleta to prevent it crossing the line), Crouch produced a contender for goal of the season just before the hour mark.