Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Stoke at the Etihad Stadium. Both teams need a victory for very different reasons, so we should have an intriguing spectacle on our hands in Manchester this afternoon.

We'll start this afternoon with a look at our hosts, who have stuttered in form of late. Not too long ago, City seemed invincible at home and many considered them overwhelming favourites for the title. However, a sobering home defeat at the hands of Chelsea brought them crashing back down to earth, and they haven't yet fully recovered from that defeat. Today represents as good chance as any for them to get back to winning ways.

Following a quite ridiculous run of form that saw City go 20 matches unbeaten in all competitions - including 18 wins - they have since lost two, drawn one and won just one of their last four matches. That run began with the defeat to Chelsea, but a disappointing goalless draw away to Norwich wasted a chance to bounce straight back, while their Champions League hopes took a huge blow on Tuesday when they were beaten 2-0 at home to Barcelona. That result was very much affected by a red card to Martin Demichelis, but even with 11 men at the Camp Nou they stand little chance of resurrecting their quadruple dreams.

While things may seem to be crashing down around them a little, the reality is that they are still very well placed. Manuel Pellegrini's post-game rant at the referee in midweek may have shown signs of the pressure starting to tell, but it also deflected attention away from his side's form. That should give them a chance to get back to winning ways today and, if they can do that, then things will start looking very rosy again. They are, after all, just three points off the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand, while they have booked their spot in the quarters of the FA Cup with a revenge win over Chelsea last weekend.

When you factor in that they have a League Cup final coming up shortly, the treble - if not the quadruple - is still a very real possibility for City. It shouldn't be forgotten that they were recently sweeping all before them in the league, and they still have top scorer Sergio Aguero to return from injury. They will still fancy their chances of winning the Premier League title and, with Chelsea currently drawing to Everton in the day's early kickoff, they could gain some valuable ground this afternoon.

City's dip in form has been reflected in their goalscoring statistics. While they still lead the league with 68 goals in 25 matches, they have only netted twice in their last four matches, and both of those came in the FA Cup victory over Chelsea. It is the first time that they have gone two Premier League games without scoring since the end of 2011 and start of 2012, while they haven't gone three without netting for six years. Somehow, I don't think that record is in too much danger today. It would be a massive shock if City were to draw blanks again here.

They have gone two games without a win in the league for the first time in more than a year, while their previously impenetrable home form has stumbled to two defeats in their last three matches at the Etihad. However, those defeats have come at the hands of Chelsea and Barcelona, so it is not like they are losing to minnows. Looking back over the entire season, that defeat to Chelsea will be seen as a minor blip. They are the only points that they have dropped all season having won every league game prior to the Mourinho masterclass.

Should the unthinkable happen and City lose again this afternoon, then it would be the first time that they have lost back-to-back home league games since December 2008. In respect to their recent dip in form, Pellegrini may not go as gung-ho as we have seen in some matches this season, but he will still be expecting a return of the attacking flair that has made City the top scoring team in the league this season.

Stoke are renowned for their stubborn defensive displays, however, and they won't make things easy for City this afternoon. Pellegrini will know all too well how tough the Potters can be to break down having seen his side held to a goalless draw at the Britannia earlier in the season. Three points would be invaluable to Stoke in their current situation, but realistically Mark Hughes is likely to hold out for a draw against his former club.

Stoke are one of a number of teams precariously perched in the bottom half of the table. Their league position of 14th may seem semi-comfortable on first glance, but they are just three points clear of the relegation zone and 18th-placed Sunderland have a game in hand over the majority of teams above them. Any one of 11 teams is still in danger of being relegated in what looks like being one of the most fascinating basement battles for years, and Stoke are right in the middle of that bunch.

Scoring goals has not been a problem for the Potters this season. Only two teams in the bottom half - West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United - have found the net more times than Stoke's 27 goals in 26 games. However, in a reverse from the Tony Pulis era, they aren't quite as impressive at the other end. Only the bottom two, Cardiff and Fulham, have conceded more goals in the Premier League this season.

Things are looking up for Stoke, however. After a difficult January and late December that saw them pick up just one point from a possible 18, they come into today's game unbeaten in their last three. That run began with an impressive victory the other Manchester club - United - and has been followed up with draws against Southampton and Swansea. A fourth game without defeat would match their best run of the season, which was set in December.

However, away from home things aren't quite so positive. Their run of 11 matches without a win on their travels is the longest in the Premier League, and their overall tally of just six points from a possible 39 is the joint worst in the league, alongside Cardiff. They have only won once on the road this season, while only Fulham and Norwich have scored fewer. The Etihad is not exactly the ideal place to come to improve that record.

Under Pulis, Stoke were notorious for their stern defensive performances and digging out clean sheets. That has not been the case under Hughes, however, and the Potters have not stopped the opposition from scoring in any of their last 10 league matches, home and away. That run stretches to 13 games in all competitions since their 0-0 draw with Hull City on December 14.

What Hughes has brought to the team, however, is a different style of football. Stoke may not exactly be the Barcelona team that beat City in midweek, but they have averaged 385 passes per games this season, which is at least 62 more than at any point in Pulis reign. Their passing accuracy has also improved, so the Stoke fans who wanted a different brand of football have certainly got it.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and the headlines come from the City camp. Vincent Kompany has recovered in time from a hamstring strain to start the match, while he is joined in defence by Demichelis despite his red against Barcelona. Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko come into the team in the only two changes from that side, while Clichy and Navas make way. Stoke, meanwhile, are unchanged from the team that drew with Swansea in their last outing. Full team news for both sides coming right up.

MANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Silva; Dzeko, Negredo

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Lescott, Clichy, Garcia, Milner, Navas, Jovetic

STOKE STARTING XI: Begovic; Pieters, Wilson, Shawcross, Cameron; Arnautovic, Whelan, Adam, Odemwingie, Walters; Crouch

STOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Muniesa, Palacios, Wilkinson, Nzonzi, Etherington, Ireland

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, it is no surprise to see Pellegrini make a couple of changes from what was an energy-sapping match against Barcelona on Tuesday, and the two switches are as expected. Dzeko and Negredo were firing on all cylinders last time Aguero was ruled out of action, but they haven't been quite as prolific this time round. Negredo is yet to score in February having netted nine times in January, and he will be eyeing today's game as a real chance to get back to scoring ways. Dzeko, meanwhile, can be hit and miss, but there is no doubting his quality when he is on form.

Fernandinho came through the Barca game unscathed having only recently returned from injury, and City fans will be delighted to see him in the middle once again today in what is a very strong City midfield. Nasri has impressed this season and he too is only recently returning from injury, so it is no real surprise to see the Frenchman restored to the starting lineup. Navas is a potent weapon to be able to call upon from the bench. Silva, as we all know, has the ability to craft a number of chances through the game with his incisive through balls and clever play.

Perhaps City's main threat today, however, will come from Yaya Toure. The powerful midfielder has enjoyed a great goalscoring season, and he will fancy his chances of getting in advanced positions against a team likely to sit back and invite pressure. Toure has scored 12 goals from just 16 shots on target this season, while his record from dead ball scenarios is nothings short of sensational. He has scored with seven of eight attempts this season, with three out of three penalties and four out of five free kicks.

The inclusion of Kompany is a big boost to City as he is undoubtedly their leader on the field. However, the man beside him has come under criticism this season, and the Stoke strikeforce will feel that there is always the possibility of a mistake when it comes to Demichelis. He actually played quite well into his red card against Barcelona on Tuesday, but that one error in judgement - he probably would have been better off letting Messi run through on goal - ultimately cost them the game as it was one-way traffic from that point on.

Peter Crouch is the man who will be looking to capitalise on any such mistake, and he certainly has the ability to trouble the City defence. He will, as ever, be an aerial threat, but he has good feet as well and if he can nick the ball away and draw a foul from the likes of Demichelis then a free kick - or even penalty - may give Stoke their best chance to score in this match.

The Potters do have the potential of goals throughout their team, with the likes of Walters, Odemwingie and Charlie Adam breaking forward from midfield. The latter could well be Stoke's most important player today. He has the tenacity to help stop a marauding Toure and is capable of scoring out of nothing at the other end - as Manchester United found out to their cost a few weeks ago. Stoke should be nice and fresh for this match having not played for 10 games, and they could try to catch a tired City on the break now and again.

It is a blow for Stoke that Huth has not recovered from injury in time for this match, as he forms a formidable centre-back partnership with Shawcross. He is not too far from a return, but today's match has come just too soon, as it has for Etherington and Wilkinson, both of whom are only fit enough for a place on the bench.

MATCH PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Etihad, which means that it is time for my match prediction! City may have stuttered of late, while Stoke have improved in recent weeks, but I can't see past a comfortable home win this afternoon. It may not be five or six goals like it has been at times this season at the Etihad, but Pellegrini's side really should coast to victory today. I'll go for 3-0 to the hosts.

If they don't pick up a victory, a few question may be asked over Pellegrini and whether his side have the temperament for a title challenge this season. They historically have had little trouble with Stoke at home, have won all five of their Premier League meetings with them at the Etihad without conceding a goal. Four of those five games have ended 3-0, while the only exception saw City win 2-0.

In fact, they are unbeaten against Stoke in their last 13 meetings in all competitions, since an FA Cup victory for the Potters after extra time. Stoke haven't won away at City since 1997, while their last top-flight win over the blue half of Manchester in their own back yard came way back in 1980. History is very much against Mark Hughes side, then, but he will know the opposition well having spent 55 matches as a manager there between 2008-09. He won 22 of those 55 games before eventually getting the boot.

Even if Stoke do take a shock lead in this match, their fans may not be too confident of holding on to it - and with good reason. No side have squandered more points from winning positions than Stoke this season, with the Potters giving up 14.

There are, of course, plenty of other Premier League matches on offer this afternoon, and we are covering all of them, plus a number of other games from around the country and continent. You can find a list of what we have on offer here, while I will also be keeping you up to date with events in the Premier League. There has already been one result in the top flight this afternoon, with Chelsea scroing a late winner to beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

KICKOFF: Manchester City get us underway at the Etihad in a big game for them in the title race. They now sit six points behind Chelsea with a game in hand, so a victory this afternoon is vital.

As expected, City have taken control of the ball early on, but Stoke have so far resisted their forays forward. The rest of the match is likely to fall into similar rhythm, with the visitors spending a lot of time defending.

SAVE! The first save of the match calls upon Hart to make it, but it is a comfortable one for the England number one. Whelan is given acres of space in midfield and is urged to shoot by the crowd. He duly obliges, catching it well, but Hart catches it comfortably. It would have to be a truly sensational strike to beat him from there.

Kolarov bursts down the left flank, beating Odemwingie before sending a dangerous cross into the middle. Begovic gets an important hand to it to help it on the way through, and eventually it runs out for a throw.

SAVE! Fernandinho picks the ball up in midfield and shifts it onto his right foot before going for goal from 25 yards out. It is a decent strike but straight down the middle, and Begovic just palms it over the top for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Dzeko rises highest to meet the ball, but he can't keep his header down as it flies few yards over the bar.

Stoke have a decent sight of goal for the first time this afternoon as the ball drops to Charlie Adam, who swings that dangerous left foot at it but can only drag it a few yards wide.

UPDATE: More bad news for City following Chelsea's earlier win as Arsenal have taken an early lead against Sunderland through Olivier Giroud. Southampton have also broken the deadlock against West Ham through Yoshida, which is good news for Stoke.

Stoke are being forced incredibly deep already in this one. City have been piling the pressure on in these early stages without really threatening, and the visitors are packing the area. At times they have as many as eight players in their own area when City come forward.

Brilliant block from Wilson as Zabaleta bursts into the box to latch on to a return pass before drilling a shot towards goal. It looks destined for the bottom corner, but Wilson throws himself in the way of it to concede a corner.

YELLOW CARD! Kompany becomes the first man in the referee's book this afternoon for a lunging challenge on Cameron that felled the American. No complaints there from the City skipper.

CHANCE! Stoke will look to capitalise on any set pieces they get this afternoon, and they almost do exactly that here. The ball is drifted into the area from a free kick and Walters escapes his marker, only to glance a header a few yards wide. He was unmarked in a good position there, and he should have done better.

Stoke have another chance to put the ball into the box here as Kompany fouls Walters this time. This one is right on the edge of shooting range so Adam may fancy going for goal, but after that last delivery caused problems a cross is the most likely option.

Adam does indeed cross it and it is another decent delivery, but Kolarov is able to turn it behind for a corner at the back post.

This is a good spell for Stoke at the moment. They have eased themselves into the game and are showing signs of being able to trouble the City defence now. An offside flag ends their latest attack, during which Shawcross escaped his marker to go for goal, but this is a lot better from the visitors.

SAVE! Adam can really threaten with balls that drop on the edge of the box, and he unleashes a powerful low effort here that Hart has to tip wide with a good save. City are on the back foot right now, they just need to keep the ball for a bit in order to regain control.

UPDATE: Hull have taken the lead in a big relegation battle away to Cardiff courtesy of a Tom Huddlestone strike. Elsewhere, Matt Jarvis has levelled things up at Upton Park, and West Ham have just scored another to take the lead over Southampton. Carlton Cole has made it 2-1 to the Hammers.

Worrying signs for Stoke as Shawcross stays down inside the box and will require treatment. He is no the type of player who will feign injury, so that will particularly concern Mark Hughes. He should be able to continue but, with Huth out, Hughes won't want to take too big a risk.

Dzeko and Nasri link up on the edge of the box before drifting out to the right when being met with a wall of Stoke defenders. The eventual cross deflects into the path of Fernandinho, but he doesn't catch his first-time shot and sends it bouncing into the arms of Begovic.

Good football from City as they craft another attack, with Fernandinho eventually giving the ball to Kolarov down the left. He fires a dangerous cross into the box that is well defended before being hacked behind for a corner just in front of Begovic.

SAVE! Yaya Toure has had a quiet game so far, but he comes to life here, shifting the ball onto his right foot before going for a curling effort into the top corner. He just doesn't get it wide enough, however, and it is a fairly comfortable save for Begovic.

YELLOW CARD! Poor challenge from Fernandinho as he hacks down is man on the edge of the box having been turned. He is rightly booked, while Stoke now have a free kick in a very good position.

The free kick is a waste as Adam drives it straight into the middle of the wall, who stand firm and do their job well.

UPDATE: There has been a potentially huge goal at the Hawthorns, where Felix Magath's Fulham have taken the lead against West Brom through Ashkan Dejagah. What a start that would be to his already tumultuous managerial reign. Elsewhere, Olivier Giroud seemingly can't stop scoring on or off the field as he has doubled Arsenal's lead over Sunderland.

YELLOW CARD! Chris Foy produces his yellow card once again, and once again it is deserved. Adam hacked Nasri down from behind with a scissor tackle, and it was always going to be a booking for the Scot.

Nice build-up play again from City and Silva and Negredo link up to create a shooting chance for Nasri, but as ever Stoke have plenty of willing bodies to throw themselves in the way of the shot and it deflects behind for a corner.

Negredo has been quiet today, as he has in recent weeks, and his first half sight of goal results in a poor effort. He got it onto his left inside the box, but there were plenty of bodies between him and the goal and his curling effort went high and wide.

UPDATE: Things are beginning to look grim in South Wales as Cardiff have gone 2-0 down to Hull courtesy of a Nikica Jelavic strike. With those around them winning, Cardiff can ill afford a loss today.

Lovely play from City as Silva gives it to Toure, who plays a one-two with Negredo to get into a good position inside the area. However, his end product is disappointing as he wildly slices an effort well wide of the near post. That was a decent chance for a player of his quality.

The hosts are playing a lot of nice one-twos in and around the box, which Stoke are struggling to deal with at times. However, the final product from City is lacking at the moment, with shots and crosses going astray once them do find themselves in good positions.

UPDATE: City seem to be struggling to bounce back from their Champions League disappointment in midweek, but there are no such concerns at the Emirates, where Arsenal are now leading Sunderland 3-0. Rosicky has joined Giroud on the scoresheet in that one.

CLOSE! City are getting closer! Dzeko drops a little deeper to receive the ball and he plays a nice one-two with Negredo around 25 yards from goal. Upon getting the return pass he tries to bend a low effort into the far corner, but it flashes just past the post with Begovic at full stretch.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

SAVE! Silva, Nasri and Toure all combine on the edge of a packed penalty area, with the latter eventually poking it on once more to Fernandinho. He takes a touch before drilling a shot towards goal, but Begovic gets down to make the stop.

Well, it must be said that that was a low-key half of football, particularly by City's standards at the Emirates. They look to be a completely different team to the one that ran riot week in, week out here earlier this season, and their confidence certainly seems to have been rocked. Stoke have defended well and frustrated the hosts, who have plugged away to no avail so far.

Stoke have spent most of their time defending so far today, but they have arguably had the best chances of the match. Walters escaped the attention on his marker to steal into the box unmarked and latch on to a free kick in the 16th minute, but he couldn't do enough with a flicked header to test Joe Hart when he should have done better.

Hart was called into action five minutes later when Adam drilled a good low strike towards the bottom corner that required a smart stop from the England number one. That is the closest we have come to a goal in the match so far, and it is no surprise to see it come from Adam, who has been their most dangerous player this season.

City have had a few sights of goal themselves, but they have been unable to create a really good chance so far. Toure, Dzeko and Fernandinho have all had decent efforts, but nothing too substantial so far, and Begovic has had a comfortable afternoon.

It has been a frustrating half for City, who have been forced to try to pass their way through a packed Stoke box. It really is congested in the middle, with the visitors putting plenty of bodies in between the ball and the goal. City's best moments have come from quick one-twos that catch the defence off guard, but they haven't been able to take advantage of them so far.

Still, it must be said that City look a far cry from the side we are used to seeing at the Etihad. It is now two and half games since they last scored a Premier League goal, and they haven't gone three matches without finding the back of the ney for six years. Could Stoke hold out for a memorable draw? On the evidence of that first half, I wouldn't bet against it.

It was, of course, goalless between these two sides earlier in the season, and Stoke would be delighted with a repeat of that result today. The Potters have had chances so far, and may even be telling themselves that they could nick a win in this one, but keeping City out will be their main priority in the second half.

Stoke are out nice and early for the second half before eventually being joined by City. It seems that Pellegrini had plenty to say to his team at the break. As things stand, they would be five points off the top of the table.

KICKOFF: Stoke get us back underway at the Etihad for a big second half for both sides. City can ill afford to drop points with Chelsea having won and Arsenal 3-0 up, while a point would be a great result for relegation-threatened Stoke.

CHANCE! Early sight of goal for the hosts as Silva moves down the left channel before cutting the ball back for Dzeko inside the box. The striker takes a touch, but as usual there are plenty of bodies blocking his route to goal, and his eventual effort is sliced well off target.

Toure is playing very deep this afternoon, and I wonder whether the hosts are really missing his drive further up the field. He has been a really potent attacking weapon so far this season, but he hasn't been able to show that this afternoon. I can't imagine it'd be too long before Pellegrini unleashes him upfield.

Patience could well be the key for City this afternoon, but in truth they could well tire before Stoke. The visitors have had a 10-day break going into this game, while City were chasing shadows for much of their match against Barcelona on Tuesday.

No City player has been able to grab this game by the scruff of the neck so far, but if on person does look like doing that it is Silva. He is pulling the strings now and beginning to craft some fluid moves to threaten the Stoke defence.

MAN CITY SUB: Pellegrini's first change of the day sees Stevan Jovetic come on for Negredo, who has again been disappointing today. He has not enjoyed a good February.

I talked up Toure's incredible free kick record before this match, but this is not one of his best. He lines up an effort from an ideal position, but slams his effort into the top of the wall.

UPDATE: Arsenal certainly have all three points in the bag now as Laurent Koscielny has extended their lead to 4-0 against Sunderland. Hull, meanwhile, are not far behind and now lead Cardiff 3-0 thanks to a second Jelavic strike.

For once, City seem to have a little space just outside the box as the ball is knocked down for Nasri, but it is on his left foot and by the time he drags it back onto his right, the defence get in position to block his eventual shot. There is just no way through for City.

MAN CITY SUB: The hosts' second change of the match sees Jesus Navas enter the fray in place of Fernandinho. I still think he needs to make a change that will allow Toure to move forward, but that certainly isn't it.

Odemwingie does well tracking back into defence to make an important challenge before acting as cheerleader to the fans, whipping them up into even more of a frenzy. For a team with the worst away record in the league this season, this would be an incredible result.

Stoke's defence has been at its stubborn best so far today, and you feel that it will take a lapse in that defence or a moment of magic for City to make the breakthrough in this match. There have been no signs of either just yet.

SAVE! Jovetic looks to apply that moments of magic with a 25-yard effort that slams into the gut of Begovic. He spills it into the dangerous area, but Dzeko is more concerned with asking Jovetic why he didn't pass than following it in.

STOKE SUB: The visitors make their first change of the match as Arnautovic goes off to be replaced by Wilson Palacios.

MAN CITY SUB: Here is the change that may allow Toure to go forward, but it isn't a planned one from Pellegrini. Jovetic appears to have hurt himself with that recent shot, and he makes way to be replaced by Garcia.

Lo and behold, as soon as Toure is allowed to get forward, he opens the scoring! Nasri slips the ball to Kolarov and he drills a good low ball into the box. Toure is waiting on the edge of the six yard box to put it in and, while Begovic got something on it, it was too close for him to make the stop and City have a very important goal.

UPDATE: Hull are in dreamland at the moment. They are now 4-0 up away to Cardiff thanks to a Jake Livermore goal, which will give them a huge confidence boost as well as three valuable points. West Ham have also extended their lead to 3-1 through Kevin Nolan.

WHAT A MISS! Oh my word, that is an absolute sitter that Dzeko has just missed! Toure drives forward from midfield again before giving the ball to Navas, who plays a simple low pass across the box for Dzeko at the back post. It was a simple tap in from all of three yards out for the striker, but his mis-kicks it and Stoke are able to clear. It was jest behind him, but he flicked the ball into his standing leg, which is what kept it out. Calamitous from Dzeko.

Despite that shocking miss, City will be encouraged by the move that led to it. They had a lot more space to work with, which should be a common theme now that Stoke need to look for an equaliser. They can no longer keep 11 men behind the ball at all times, and City will now fancy their chances of adding to their lead.

SAVE! Now the chances are starting to come for City. Dzeko tries to work space to shoot but is eventually crowded out and tackled. The ball only falls as far as Garcia, who drills a low strike towards goal that Begovic gets down well to save.

STOKE SUB: Walters makes may for the visitors to be replaced by Stephen Ireland, who receives a very warm reception courtesy of his spell at City earlier in his career.

UPDATE: Sunderland have pulled a goal back against Arsenal at the Emirates courtesy of an Emanuele Giaccherini strike. It is now 4-1 to the Gunners there.

STOKE SUB: The visitors make their third and final change as Whelan is replaced by Matthew Etherington, who is returning from three-and-a-half months out with back trouble.

There is, understandably, a lot less urgency about City's play now. They are patiently knocking the ball about looking for an opening and, if it doesn't come, then they will be happy with a 1-0 victory. They currently have the best goal difference in the division, so there are no worries on that front.

Charlie Adam looks to thread a pass through to Odemwingie down the left channel, but it just too heavy and Kompany sees it out of play. Stoke have not threatened at all in this second half and are struggling to switch from all-out defence to all-out attack right now.

CHANCE! Magnificent play from City as Toure produces a delightful flick to release Silva, who is very unselfish in passing it back to Toure when he could have gone for goal himself. Yaya's effort is denied by a good last-ditch challenge from Pieters, however. Delightful build-up play from the hosts.

UPDATE: Heartbreaking stuff for Fulham and new manager Magath as West Brom have scored a late equaliser at the Hawthorns through Matej Vydra.

YELLOW CARD! Dzeko is the latest name in the referee's notebook, and that one must have been for a word out of place. It has not been his day today.

Toure is down and in need of treatment here following a collision with a Stoke defender. It is not often that he comes off worse in such scenarios!

CHANCE! Half chance for Stoke in stoppage time as Pieters whips a good cross into the box from the left. Ireland is left unmarked at the back post, but his first touch makes the angle difficult and his eventual shot goes harmlessly wide of the near post.

Dzeko almost makes a positive end to a poor personal performance as he skips past one man and has clear ground ahead of him to run into. However, a well-timed sliding challenge from behind dispossess him, and he is left to pick himself up again.

Well, it was by no means a vintage Etihad performance from the hosts, but City found a way to grind out a victory against a stubborn Stoke team, and how many times are we told that that is what champions are made of? Pellegrini's side found it very difficult to play through the Potters for large periods of the match, but that Toure goal was all they needed to claim three vital points and remain three points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

City's stuttering form was by no means swept aside in this match, but a win is a win and Pellegrini will be happy that they found a way to pick up all three points. Mark Hughes, meanwhile, will be disappointed that a strong defensive display did not yield anything for his side, but he can be proud of their performance and wouldn't have come into this match expected much anyway. It is another defeat on the road for his side, but by no means a humiliating one.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was not a classic match, but an important one in the race at the top of the Premier League. It is City who come away with the three points courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win over Stoke at the Etihad. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for analysis and reaction, which should be on site shortly. The late kickoff in the Premier League is Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United, and you can follow that live with us here. From me, though, it is goodbye for now.