Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke 1 Manchester City 1: Matthew Etherington strikes at the death to stun City
Matthew Etherington emphasised Stoke's never-say-die attitude with a stoppage-time equaliser against Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium. [LNB]Roberto Mancini's high-fliers looked set for all three points thanks to a marvellous goal from Micah Richards in the 81st minute. [LNB] Floored: On the day that Carlos Tevez's former club Manchester United went top, City's title charge was pegged back at Stoke[LNB] [LNB]But Stoke refused to lie down andEtherington took advantage of a clever back-heel from Tuncay to ensurehis side got a share of the spoils. [LNB]City found themselves under pressurefor long spells in the first half and must have been delighted to go inat the break on level terms. [LNB]Stoke showed their credentials as early as the fifth minute when a long throw from Rory Delap was flicked on by Ryan Shawcross.[LNB] Jermaine Pennant got on the end ofit, clearing the bar with his effort before Delap caused furtherconfusion in the City penalty area. [LNB]Ricardo Fuller found himself clear following a long throw, only to see his shot blocked by Vincent Kompany. [LNB]Etherington then took advantage ofsome defensive hesitancy to fire in a shot City goalkeeper Joe Hart gota hand to before the ball was scrambled away. [LNB] Festive mood: Matthew Etherington celebrates his leveller[LNB]The home side should have taken the lead in the 16th minute when Fuller and Kenwyne Jones played a neat one-two. [LNB]Fuller was released in the area butfailed to test Hart, steering his effort wide of the post. City wereagain forced on the back foot in the 22nd minute when Robert Huthcleared the bar from a good position. [LNB]The visitors launched a quick counter-attack in the 31st minute when David Silva released Carlos Tevez. [LNB]The striker found James Milner but the move broke down following a timely challenge by Andy Wilkinson. [LNB]Back came Stoke and Fuller gotgoal-side of Kolo Toure only to send his shot into the arms of Hart.Play switched down the other end and Aleksandar Kolarov testedgoalkeeper Asmir Begovic from distance in the 36th minute. [LNB]Stoke were nearly undone in the 42ndminute following a mistake by Danny Collins. He played a casual backpass to Begovic, unaware Tevez was lurking on the edge of the area.[LNB] Begovic came to the rescue, racingout of his goal to divert the ball to safety. Mario Balotelli hadstarted the half with purpose for City and showed good strength andpace to rattle in a shot in the 52nd minute that went narrowly wide. [LNB] So close: City's James Milner (right) clears a shot off the line[LNB]Stoke hit back and Fuller got on theend a ball from Etherington two minutes later and skipped into the areabut sent a soft shot into Hart's body. [LNB]Then Etherington's miscued effortwas met at the back post by Shawcross, However the defender was offbalance and headed over the bar. [LNB]Fuller was finding it hard going in the second half and replaced by Jon Walters in the 75th minute. [LNB]His arrival gave Stoke a bit ofimpetus and Jones saw his effort cleared off the line by Milner beforeTuncay fired the rebound over the bar. [LNB]City, however, made the breakthrough in the 81st minute with a marvellous piece of skill from the recalled Richards. [LNB]He latched on to a ball from Milner, sold a dummy to Collins before rifling a shot into the corner from the edge of the area. [LNB]Stoke, though, secured a point instoppage time through Etherington, who got on the end of a clever backheel from substitute Tuncay. [LNB]Although Hart got a hand to the ball he could not prevent it going into the net. [LNB] Balotelli 'can be better than Rooney': Mancini stands by special treatmentAleksandar Kolarov warns Stoke: We City slickers won't roll over if you hit us hardMANCHESTER CITY FC
