Stoke City climbed back out of the relegation zone courtesy of a memorable 2-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.
The hosts took the lead when Charlie Adam's long-range free kick took a big deflection off Michael Carrick which took the ball past a helpless David de Gea.
Robin van Persie levelled things up less than two minutes after the restart, but Stoke soon regained their lead through another Adam strike, this time finding the top corner with a stunning effort from the edge of the box.
You can read how Stoke pulled off their first league win against United for 30 years with Sports Mole's liver coverage of the match below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what promises to be an intriguing match between Stoke City and Manchester United at the Britannia. Stoke are in desperate need of a win to halt their slide towards the relegation zone, while United will be looking to ride a new wave of hope and optimism in their challenge for a Champions League spot.
We'll start with a look at our hosts today, and things have not gone well for Stoke recently. They are just two places above the bottom three with a gap of just three points separating them from the wrong side of the dotted line. That position looks like becoming even more precarious before they even kick off this afternoon, with both West Ham United and Sunderland currently winning in the day's two early matches.
As things stand, then, Stoke will be starting their match against United in the relegation zone, which is not what Mark Hughes will have envisioned at the start of the season. Stoke got rid of Tony Pulis in order to play more attractive football but, in doing so, may have got rid of the very things that was making them such a solid Premier League side. It is hard to argue that their style has changed a huge amount either, although Hughes is slowly working on that and the additions of the likes of Peter Odemwingie should help with that.
In such a tight bottom half of the table, a couple of wins can take you from the bottom three up to 11th, but that is easier said than done, especially when you are in the sort of form that Stoke are at the moment. They have lost their last four matches in all competitions and their only victory in the last eight was a 2-1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup. In the league, they have not won any of their last six games, picking up just one point from an available 18 in that time.
That run of form has been particularly harmful as it has seen them lose to a number of teams in and around them in the table. Their last two Premier League matches have seen them lose 1-0 to both Crystal Palace and Sunderland. Scoring goals has been a problem for Mark Hughes's side this season, averaging just one a game in the league with 22 from 22 matches. Only three teams in the division have scored fewer, while in all competitions Stoke have failed to find the net in their last three matches, since the 5-3 defeat to Liverpool.
Things aren't much better at the other end of the pitch either, which is worrying for a side who were so solid at the back under Tony Pulis. Stoke have had their fair share of injuries in defence this season, but they will still be disappointed with conceding 37 goals, the third worst tally in the whole league. In fact, only Fulham and Cardiff - the bottom two teams - have let in more goals this season.
However, they will still feel confident of staying in the top flight if only because of their home form. Only two teams - Norwich and Liverpool - have managed to win here in the league this season, with Stoke taking points off the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton at the Britannia. It is certainly a tough place for opposition sides to win, although United have already been successful here this season, beating Stoke 2-0 in the League Cup back in December.
Even their home form has been stuttering of late, though. Having conceded just three goals in their opening seven home matches, they have let in nine in their last four, including that 5-3 loss to Liverpool. Overall, they also find it tough to win in front of their own fans, with four victories and five draws to their name in the league this season.
That will come as music to the ears of Manchester United, who will pose a serious attacking threat this afternoon with Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie all in the starting lineup together for the first time. The Red Devils have not had things as plain sailing as they are used to this season, but that trio is one of the most dangerous in Europe and hopes will now be high that they can push on for fourth place.
United are currently six points off that final Champions League place, with Tottenham and Everton both better placed to challenge Liverpool at the moment. However, David Moyes will be hoping that the addition of Mata is the turning point for his side after a disappointing January that saw them eliminated from both cup competitions and lose to Spurs and Chelsea in the league.
Even without Van Persie and Rooney for large periods of the season, United are the top scorers outside the top four this season, with 38 goals in 23 games. That tally is likely to grow with the trio back fit and firing, and Van Persie in particular has already shown that he is back amongst the goals, scoring after just six minutes on his return against Cardiff earlier this week.
Things are also fairly tight at the back for United in a season where plenty of goals seem to be flying in. They have conceded 27 times in their 23 games which, while not being an outstanding defensive performance, is still the fifth best tally in the league.
United's main problems have, unusually, been coming at Old Trafford. Their away record this season has actually been very good, with only the two North London clubs - Arsenal and Tottenham - picking up more points on their travels than Moyes's men. Their 3-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was their first away loss in the league since the 4-1 defeat against Manchester City - a run that stretches back eight matches. However, they have only kept two clean sheets away from home in the league this season, so don't be surprised if Stoke find the net this afternoon.
United have a formidable record against Stoke to fall back on too. The Red Devils have never lost to the Potters in the Premier League era, with Stoke's last victory coming way back on Boxing Day 1984, when they triumphed 2-1. United have won the last four meetings between the two sides, including two already this season, and are unbeaten in the last 13.
A win for United this afternoon would move them to within just three points of the top four, although that gap could grow again when Liverpool face West Brom tomorrow. Both Everton and Tottenham - the other teams in the chasing pack for a Champions League spot - are also in action today.
TEAM NEWS: Right, time to bring you some more in-depth team news! I've already mentioned the biggest news, which is Mata, Rooney and Van Persie all starting, but elsewhere United are still without Fellaini and Ferdinand, neither of whom even make the squad. Welbeck, Rafael, Valencia and Januzaj are all left on the bench. Stoke, meanwhile, hand a home debut to Odemwingie on the wing, but the match comes too soon for Robert Huth to make his return from injury. Full teams news for both sides on the way...
STOKE STARTING XI: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Odemwingie, Whelan, Adam, Arnautovic, Walters; Crouch
STOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Muniesa, Palacios, Guidetti, Assaidi, Shotton, Ireland
MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra; Young, Cleverley, Carrick; Rooney, Mata, van Persie
MAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, Rafael, Hernandez, Welbeck, Fletcher, Valencia, Januzaj
So, what can we make of those two starting lineups? Well, there are no surprises in the Stoke side, with Huth the only question ,ark. He doesn't even make the bench having not proved his fitness in time, which means that Wilson will continue alongside Shawcross in the middle of defence. Cameron and Pieters make up a back four which has certainly not been as solid as usual this season. They will be facing one of their toughest tests yet this afternoon, so it should be an intriguing battle.
The introduction of Odemwingie on the wing is an interesting one for Stoke, and certainly a step towards the style of football that Mark Hughes insists he wants to play. Odemwingie is not what you'd imagine a typical Stoke City player to be, but there is no doubting his quality when he is in the mood. He can be a tricky customer and will be looking to get up alongside Crouch this afternoon.
Crouch should get plenty of support from the rest of the midfield too. Walters will be the closest thing he has to a fellow striker throughout the game, but Charlie Adam has certainly shown that he has an eye for goal as well so far this season. In fact, the former Liverpool man is Stoke's top scorer in the current campaign, so he will be eager to add to his tally again today.
As for Crouch himself, he will be looking to take advantage of a somewhat unfamiliar back four this afternoon. Jones continues his magical mystery tour around the team and this time turns up in central defence alongside the more steady presence of Evans. Smalling is preferred to Rafael at right-back, while there is no Vidic or Ferdinand for the visitors, so Crouch will fancy his chances in the aerial duels.
Vidic is, of course, still suspended following his red card against Chelsea last month, while Ferdinand has not recovered from injury in time for today's match. Evra and Evans both have plenty of experience but the constant chopping and changing of the defence must have an effect over the course of the season. Behind them they have perhaps the best shot-stopper in the league, however, and it is vital for an unsettled defence to have full confidence in their keeper.
United's midfield has looked a little lightweight at times this season, and David Moyes's attempts to sign a central midfielder have failed in both the summer and January. Young gets a start on the wing having scored one and set up the other in the 2-0 win over Cardiff, while Cleverley and Carrick are named in the centre of midfield. It will be interesting to see how the other trio fit into the side, with Young, Rooney and Mata likely to play in a three behind Van Persie, rather like Chelsea's formation.
That, of course, raises the question of who starts out side - Rooney or Mata? You'd have to think that it would be Mata out of the two of them, but upon joining United he is understood to have been told that he will be playing in his favoured position, which is directly behind the striker. Wherever they play, there is no doubt that it is a potent strike force United have now, with Mata second only to David Silva in assists in recent seasons and Van Persie and Rooney more than capable of finishing an chance that is created for them.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Britannia, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This is an interesting game given Stoke's form at home this season, where they have only been beaten twice. They come into this game with a poor recent record overall, but it is a different prospect in front of their own fans. United, meanwhile, have had a tough January but with Mata, Van Persie and Rooney all starting they will be confident of scoring enough goals to win any match. It will be a tight game, but I'm going to go for an away win. 2-1 to United.
Robin van Persie will certainly be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Stoke again. He has scored in each of his last six appearances against them for Arsenal and United, while he has nine goals in eight games against them overall. Incidentally, United are also unbeaten in the 28 matches in which Van Persie has found the net.
His strike partner Wayne Rooney also has an incentive to get on the scoresheet today as he just needs one more goal to become only the second player in Premier League history to score 10+ goals in 10 successive seasons. Only Chelsea's Frank Lampard has managed that impressive achievement before.
Rooney and Van Persie are likely to go down in any list of United's greatest strikers, and another man on that list would be Stoke manager Mark Hughes. He netted 163 times in 473 appearances during two spells at Old Trafford, but 'Sparky' does not have such good memories as a manager against his former side. He has come up against United 18 times in his managerial career, winning just twice when he did the double over the Red Devils with Blackburn in 2005-06. Other than that, he has drawn just two and lost the remaining 10.
There are, of course, plenty of other matches going on this afternoon. You can see what we have to offer by clicking here, while I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from the other four Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm.
The teams are out and we're just about ready to go at the Britannia. How will Mata, Rooney and Van Persie link up on their first start together. It is an exciting prospect for United fans.
KICKOFF: Stoke get us underway at the Britannia, and they will not need reminding that they start this game in the bottom three after wins for West Ham and Sunderland earlier today. Can they climb out of the relegation zone?
Stoke have started this one brightly and had an early two-on-one chance, but Walters just couldn't squeeze his pass to his teammate. That is an early escape for United, who looked awfully short at the back then.
It is a cold and blustery day inside the Britannia Stadium here, which means that United are likely to keep the ball on the ground. They certainly have ability to do that, but the wind could well make things difficult for them if Stoke send a lot of high balls into their box.
Adam gives the ball away in midfield when he loses his balance, and Rooney immediately looks to go for goal from at least 40 yards out, but he gets nowhere near as much flight on his effort as he would have liked, and it is easy for Begovic.
UPDATE: The good news for Stoke is that those below them in the table now are not faring as well as the likes of West Ham and Sunderland did earlier. Cardiff have just gone behind early against Norwich, with Robert Snodgrass getting the goal for the Canaries.
Smalling plays a clever ball forward that Mata almost gets on the end of after a clever run behind the defence. The ball just skims up off the surface, however, taking it past the Spaniard and into the arms of Begovic.
The wind causes Evans problems on a long ball upfield, and Walters picks up the pieces from the poor clearance. He swings a cross in to Crouch, but the big striker can't get enough on his shot.
MAN UTD SUB: An early blow for United as Evans is forced to limp off with an injury which occurred before that latest piece of action. He is replaced by Rafael, so Smalling will go in alongside Jones in the centre of defence. The United defensive merry-go-round continues.
Stoke have their first corner of the game and it is a good, driven delivery from Adam that Odemwingie gets his head on to. He probably should do better with his effort, however, as he plants his header well wide of the post. He needed to flick that goalwards, but instead he made a full connection with it.
CHANCE! The biggest chance of the match so far falls the way of United. Evra played a low ball into the area and Rooney is given too much space in a good position. He volleys it first time and gets a good connection on his effort, but he can't wrap his foot around the ball enough to get it on target as it flies past the post.
Arnautovic shows good pace to beat Rafael to an aimless ball upfield, but his subsequent effort is poor as he balloons a long-range effort way over the crossbar. That was a waste.
UPDATE: Interesting news coming out of the KC Stadium as Shane Long gives Hull the lead against Tottenham Hotspur. That is good news for United, who would go above Spurs if they win and Tottenham lose this afternoon.
A frantic period of play sees United repeatedly knock on Stoke's door, but each time they are greeted with a heavy challenge or a big clearance that deflects off an unsuspecting body. Really scrappy stuff in the Stoke half, but the hosts eventually manage to get it clear.
United have certainly been on top in this opening 20 minutes or so, but they are yet to really threaten the Stoke goal. Rooney's chance is the best opening we have seen, but even that would have had to have been a fine finish to result in a goal.
Stoke are mainly relying on counter attacks to threaten United at the moment, but so far nothing has come of them. Stoke aren't exactly renowned as a counter-attacking side, and with Crouch often the only target in the box it is easy to see why.
Rafael goes tumbling over the challenge of Arnautovic, giving United a free kick in a dangerous crossing position from the right. Mata is standing over it, what can he deliver?
Well, not much as it turns out. Mata's cross flies straight into the arms of Begovic, who makes a simple catch under no pressure. That was a waste from the new United man.
Stoke come forward at the other end, but once again a cross is too close to the keeper. This time it is Walters who puts the ball into the United box, but De Gea comfortably holds on to the low delivery.
Panicky play from Odemwingie has he comes back to help defend. Stoke struggle to deal with a cross into the box and the home debutant tries to pass it back to Cameron to clear, but can only pass it straight out of play.
Half chance for United as Jones bravely wins a header from a corner to nod it into a dangerous area. Van Persie is on hand to nod it on again, but he is slightly less brave and pulls out of the aerial challenge, which only serves to send a weak effort over the bar, though it did take a deflection on the way through.
We've had half an hour now and still neither keeper has been forced into making a tough save. The conditions are playing their part, with every high ball being misjudged by the defenders and the attackers, so both sides will need to keep it on the floor more often.
Pieters nips in ahead of his man to chest a ball down and it sits up invitingly for him to volley from a good 40 yards out. You just can't resist them sometimes, but he will be wishing he did now as he fires it a long, long way over the bar.
United have produced some slick passing around the Stoke box today but they haven't found a way to break through the stubborn defence so far. Stoke have certainly come into this game with defensive duties as their priority.
UPDATE: More good news for United as Everton fall behind to Aston Villa at Goodison Park. Leandro Bacuna has given the visitors the lead there, which means that the two sides directly above United in the table are now losing. Can they take advantage?
United have a free kick in a good crossing position, this time on the left wing. Rooney takes control of this one and tries to keep it low to counteract the wind, but that makes it simple to nod clear. Stoke go up the other end and win a free kick of there own from a long way out. Surely too far for Adam to go for goal?
GOAL! Stoke 1-0 Manchester United (Michael Carrick og)
Well, it should have been too far out! Adam does go for goal and he hits it well, but the ball takes a huge deflection off Michael Carrick, which diverts it away from a helpless De Gea and into the net. On second viewing the ball was going wide, so that will go down as a Carrick own goal. It was not the best piece of defending from the midfielder, who just hung a leg out towards the ball.
What a big goal that could be for Stoke and, indeed for Manchester United. As things stand the Potters will be climbing back out of the relegation zone, while United's top four hopes will take a big blow despite Everton and Spurs both also losing.
There is another concerning issue for United here as Jones has been down for a while. The stretcher is on and it looks like quite a serious issue for the United defender. Remember, Evans has also been taken off today, so that would leave United short at the back. It appears perhaps to be whiplash after Jones landed heavily.
Interestingly, United seem to be readying Danny Welbeck to replace Jones. That would likely see Rooney drop back into midfield, with Welbeck joining Van Persie up front. That is an interesting decision with a more natural midfielder like Fletcher on the bench.
MAN UTD SUB: Jones is finally stretchered off following a lengthy period of treatment on the field. That is very worrying for the visitors, who will be relieved that Vidic and Ferdinand are on their way back soon.
There will be six minutes of added time at the end of this first half after that injury.
Rooney has indeed dropped back into midfield, and you have to wonder just how happy he will be about that. The injuries were out of Moyes's control, but Fletcher is on the bench so it is very interesting that he chose to break up the trio of Mata, Van Persie and Rooney when he had an option not to.
HALF TIME: Stoke City 1-0 Manchester United
Referee Neil Swarbrick calls time on an elongated first half, and what a miserable one it has been for Manchester United so far. The champions have lost two players to injury - one of which looks worryingly serious - while they also find themselves behind at the break on an afternoon of tough conditions at the Britannia Stadium.
Who the goal will actually be credited to is still up for debate. It was Charlie Adam who had the initial shot, letting fly with an optimistic free kick from around 35-4o yards out. It was a good hit, but wouldn't have gone in without a huge deflection off Michael Carrick. Both Adam and Carrick will want the goal to be awarded to the Stoke man, but it is certainly one for the dubious goals panel.
The longer-term worry for Moyes, however, will be the injuries to Evans and Jones in that first half. Evans limped off within 10 minutes to be replaced by Rafael, while Phil Jones needed lengthy treatment on the field before being stretchered off after an awkward landing from an aerial challenge with Jonathan Walters. That means that Carrick and Smalling are now the centre-back pairing - neither of whom started the match in that position - while Rooney has dropped back into midfield.
The attacking triumvirate of Mata, Van Persie and Rooney have not exactly lived up to their billing so far, and with Rooney dropping further back now they are unlikely to do so much in the second half either. Welbeck is on the field as well now, so United have plenty of attacking options to call upon, but they have failed to threaten Stoke so far.
United's best chance of the first half fell to Rooney after Evra had played a low ball back into the box. Rooney connected with his first-time volley but couldn't steer his effort on target. It was by no means a sitter for the England man, and Moyes will be wondering just why such a wealth of attacking talent has failed to create a better chance in the opening 45 minutes. The Stoke defence have kept the likes of Mata and Van Persie very quiet so far.
Stoke haven't exactly been peppering the United goal with shots either, and the hosts haven't even had a chance to speak of despite leading. The free kick could hardly be described as a good opportunity despite resulting in a goal, and De Gea could do nothing about it after a half of having very little action. In truth, neither side really deserve to be leading this match at the break.
KICKOFF: United get us back underway for this second half as they look to overturn the one-goal deficit and continue their push for fourth. Can they do it or will Stoke hold on?
GOAL! Stoke 1-1 Manchester United (Robin van Persie)
Well, that didn't take long did it? United are back level within two minutes of the restart as Stoke fail to clear the ball, giving it straight to Mata who in turn plays a first-time through ball for Van Persie. The Dutchman weighs up his options before steering a controlled half volley into the top corner. Very cool finish from the striker.
UPDATE: United aren't the only side who have started the second half well. Cardiff have scored twice in quick succession to take a 2-1 lead over Norwich in Wales, Craig Bellamy and former Stoke man Kenwyne Jones getting the goals. That is bad news for Stoke.
Cleverley is the latest man to get a knock for United, catching a stray knee to the face following a good tackle on Adam. There was nothing Adam could do about it and it looks like Cleverley will be able to continue, but that would have been painful for the England international.
GOAL! Stoke 2-1 Manchester United (Charlie Adam)
There was plenty of doubt over who the first goal would be attributed to, but there are no such problems here. What a hit this is from Adam as a Walters nods the ball down and it eventually finds its way to the Stoke midfielder, who hammers it into the top corner. He struck that so cleanly, De Gea had absolutely no chance. Superb goal, and a superb reaction from Stoke.
YELLOW CARD! Wayne Rooney becomes the first man in the referee's book this afternoon as a piece of frustration creeps into his game. Stoke have a free kick in a good crossing position.
The ball is delivered into the front post and Walters bravely puts his head in a dangerous area, with Rafael's boot high. The Brazilian catches the Stoke man, but Swarbrick waves away the crowd's claims for a penalty. That would've been painful for Walters, though.
Walters is in the wars again here as he slides in on Smalling, who slips when trying to clear the ball and seemingly catches the Stoke man. It is was interesting challenge from Walters, who could be punished by the ref when he finally gets up, but the immediate concern is for the Stoke midfielder's health.
YELLOW CARD! Indeed, Walters is shown a yellow as he trudges off the field. There wasn't much contact and it looked worse due to Smalling's slip, but it was an untidy challenge for sure.
Walters is down again here having attempted to continue. He has a large cut on his left leg, and it appears as if he won't be able to continue for the hosts.
STOKE SUB: Walters does indeed limp off and he is replaced by Stephen Ireland for the final 30 minutes or so of this match.
SAVE! A messy piece of play inside the United box sees the ball fall to Crouch, who swings a leg at it. He doesn't catch it well but it is bobbling towards goal and, in the conditions, it is a harder save than De Gea makes it out to be as he dives to his left to collect.
Evra drives into the box and goes down under a challenge as the ball squirms out towards Welbeck. The striker swings a leg at it but completely misses the ball when he would have had a great chance to score if he connected.
CHANCE! Big chance for Stoke to get a third! United again fail to deal with a ball into the box, only clearing it as far as ARnautovic inside the area. He takes a touch before curling an effort towards the bottom corner, but it goes a couple of yards wide.
UPDATE: More bad news for United as Spurs have equalised against Hull City courtesy of a Paulinho strike. It is now 1-1 there, while Southampton have taken the lead away to Fulham through Adam Lallana.
Adam has another chance to shoot from outside the box, but this time he can't replicate his earlier wonder goal and it is easy for De Gea to collect. There are just under 25 minutes for Stoke to hold on for a famous three points here. Remember, they haven't beaten Manchester United since 1984.
A clever ball is slipped in behind the full-back for Rafael to run on to. He reaches it and sends a low cross towards the near post that Begovic has to clear with his feet.
At the other end, Odemwingie gets the better of Evra on the right wing and sends a dangerous cross in towards where Crouch is waiting in the box. Smalling is on hand to make an important clearance from underneath his own crossbar, however.
STOKE SUB: The hosts make a change as Arnaoutivic is forced off with a slight injury. He is replaced by Ousama Assaidi.
UPDATE: Southampton are now 3-0 up thanks to goals from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez. The Saints' England internationals are doing the job for them today!
Assaidi almost makes an immediate impact as he finds himself in space to run at the United defence. He cuts inside his man and has a good chance to shoot on his right foot, but instead twists once more onto his left and sends a weak shot that is blocked.
SAVE! What a hit from Assaidi! He has made a real difference for Stoke already. Evra's headed clearance is not a good one and fall to Assaidi, who adjusts his body brilliantly to send a first-time volley towards goal that De Gea fingertips over the bar. Superb strike.
Stoke are really pushing for another goal here! A corner into the box causes havoc but just doesn't fall to a red and white striped shirt as United eventually scramble it clear. That was a very uncomfortable moment for the visitors.
MAN UTD SUB: David Moyes decides that it is time for Javier Hernandez, who scored the winner in a 3-2 win for United in the reverse fixture. He replaces Van Persie, who is still working his way back to full fitness.
United knock the ball about on the edge of the box and eventually a square pass gives Mata a good chance to shoot. The club-record signing can only scuff his effort wide, however, and a good chance goes begging for the floundering champions.
UPDATE: Everton have turned things around at Goodison Park and goals from Naismith and Mirallas have now given them a 2-1 lead over Aston Villa. United will be falling further behind both the Toffees and Spurs if things stay the same.
YELLOW CARD! Carrick goes into the book for a silly foul, and he has no complaints. He hasn't enjoyed the best afternoon so far, that's for sure.
STOKE SUB: Stoke's final change of the day sees Whelan make way to be replaced by Wilson Palacios, who should give them more solidity and discipline in midfield. We're set for a very intriguing final five minutes here.
Charlie Adam ends a bit of head tennis on the edge of his own box by slamming the ball all the way out for a United goal kick. It is going to be backs to the walls tuff for the hosts in this final five minutes.
Agonising stuff for United as Rafael finds Hernandez, who in turn squeezes a fine pass back into the middle. However, there isn't a United shirt in the vicinity to take advantage, and Stoke again scramble it clear.
Stoke really are finding themselves under a lot of pressure at the moment, and they may be in trouble here as Pieters goes down having received a boot in a rather tender place. With all three subs having been made, he will have to soldier on, though.
CHANCE! Really good chance for United to get an equaliser late on as Cameron misjudges a cross, allowing Young the freedom of the back post. However, he is not renowned for his heading ability and this is exactly why, as he sends a poor effort well wide of the far post. He even had time to chest that down and go for goal, but he made the wrong decision.
YELLOW CARD! Geoff Cameron is the latest man in the book for taking too long over a throw-in for Neil Swarbrick's liking. Moments later, Ireland concedes a free kick in a very dangerous position.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of SEVEN minutes added time!
OFF THE POST! Oh my word, what drama late on here! Rooney curls a fine free kick towards goal that Begovic hurls himself across goal to tip onto the post. It falls back down to Welbeck, whose header is blocked by one of three Stoke defenders who fling themselves in the way of it, and then Cleverley blasts a glorious chance over the bar! How did they not score there?!
Stoke are defending heroically now as they rebuff wave after wave of United attacks. They have four more minutes of added time to hold on, however. Can they do it? They are coming under relentless pressure at the moment.
Pretty much every Stoke touch of the ball is a hoof either upfield or into the stands. Subtlety is not their strongest point at the best of times, and particularly not now.
Stoke come forward on a rare foray into the United half and Assaidi looks for the killer blow by trying to find Ireland inside the box, but United make a vital interception. Moments later, Crouch unleashes a long-range effort that De Gea needs to save. Things are very tense at the Britannia right now!
FULL TIME: Stoke City 2-1 Manchester United
The referee brings an end to what felt like an eternity of added time and Stoke hold on for an incredible victory over the champions! It is their first win in six league games and, even more impressively, their first over United in 30 years. What a day this is for the Potters, who climb back out of the bottom three with the victory.
As for United, that wave of optimism that surrounded Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie starting together has quickly subsided. It is an eighth league defeat of the season for the Red Devils, who are now four points behind Tottenham, five behind Everton and could be nine behind fourth-placed Liverpool by the end of the weekend. Have we just seen the final nail in the coffin of their top four hopes?
Stoke's opening goal came courtesy of a Charlie Adam free kick which took a huge deflection off Michael Carrick on its way past David De Gea. It remains to be seen who it will be attributed to, but there was no doubt about the second as the Scot smashed an effort into the top corner to restore Stoke's lead after Van Persie had equalised at the start of the second half.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a memorable day in the history of Stoke City as they beat Manchester United in the league for the first time in almost 30 years. I will leave you with our match report and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis, which will be on site shortly. We have plenty more live football for you throughout the evening and tomorrow, so check back in with us over the weekend! Until then, though, it is goodbye from me!
