Stoke City

3.00

• 
  19

  3

  3.00

  Asmir Begovic

  The Bosnian stopper had to be alert as the visitors controlled large parts of the game but he was rarely tested. Ensured his side got a point in injury time as he saved brilliantly from Garcia.

• 
  8

  3

  3.00

  Robert Huth

  Tasked with marking Balotelli, the lone Manchester City striker, and did the job very well. The Italian hardly had any opportunities to turn and run at the Stoke defence and when he did he was met by the solid Huth on the edge of the penalty area.

• 
  5

  4

  3.00

  Marc Wilson

  The full-back worked hard to stay close to Nasri and the overlapping Maicon and in general he did well as neither Manchester City player was able to deliver any real quality into the penalty area.

• 
  12

  4

  3.00

  Ryan Shawcross

  The Stoke captain was the man expected to pick up the runners from Manchester City’s midfield and he did that well. Made a clearance off his own line in the last seconds of the game, with Begovic beaten, to earn his side a point.

• 
  4

  4

  3.00

  Andy Wilkinson

  Handled the threat of Sinclair well with tight marking and strong challenges, and didn’t give the young winger any opportunity to threaten the Stoke goal.

• 
  4

  4

  3.00

  Glenn Whelan

  Benefitted from playing with N'Zonzi in a three as he worked hard to close down the visitors' midfield and looked to break on the counterattack whenever he could.

• 
  4

  2

  3.00

  Steven N'Zonzi

  Impressed on his Potters debut with plenty of energy in the centre of the pitch, he broke up play well but his distribution was not always as tidy.

• 
  4

  4

  3.00

  Charlie Adam

  The Scot was making his first start for the club having only trained with the team twice since joining due to the international break and at times he chose the wrong option. Enjoyed a stronger second half but was replaced by Cameron with five minutes to go.

• 
  4

  4

  2.50

  Michael Kightly

  The winger had a quiet first half as his fellow midfielders failed to give him the ball in places where he could attack. Spent most of the half going back towards his own goal as Maicon looked to get forward at every opportunity.

• 
  4

  5

  3.00

  Jonathan Walters

  The Irish international found himself on the right wing where he struggled to get into the game. When he did have possession he showed neat touches and worried Clichy but they were far too rare.

• 
  18

  7

  3.50

  Peter Crouch

  The striker led the line well for his side and opened the scoring in the 15th minute, breaking through three challenges before rolling the ball past Joe Hart.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  5

  3.00

  Geoff Cameron

  Replaced Adam with five minutes to go but failed to have an influence on the game.

• 
  5

  4

  3.00

  Matthew Etherington

  Replaced Kightly in the 69th minute to give the home side a fresh pair of legs to play on the counter.

• 
  15

  5

  3.00

  Michael Owen

  Given a standing ovation as he replaced Crouch in injury time but had no chance to impact on the game.

Manchester City

3.07

• 
  9

  13

  3.00

  Joe Hart

  Could do nothing about Crouch’s opening goal as the striker was on him before he could react. His distribution was good for the majority of the match.

• 
  12

  9

  3.00

  Maicon

  Was very eager to get forward on his debut and push Kightly back towards his own goal, but his lack of familiarity with his new team-mates was evident.

• 
  10

  8

  3.00

  Vincent Kompany

  Was given a tough afternoon by Crouch as the striker held the ball up well. Brushed off far too easily by the striker in the lead up to the opening goal.

• 
  6

  11

  3.00

  Joleon Lescott

  He was coolness personified in possession at times and linked particularly well with Garcia, but defensively he looked a little shaky when Crouch moved onto him and should have done more to stop the striker opening the scoring.

• 
  6

  11

  3.00

  Gael Clichy

  Handled the threat of Walters well and kept the forward very quiet throughout the game, and when he pushed forward himself he provided some good crosses into the penalty area that were not converted.

• 
  10

  13

  3.00

  Samir Nasri

  Worked hard throughout the game, showed excellent link-up play with Yaya Toure and looked to thread passes into Balotelli whenever he could.

• 
  21

  16

  2.50

  Scott Sinclair Flop of the Match

  The former Swansea winger looked nervous on his City debut and he struggled to get into the game at all, the close attention of Wilkinson giving him no room to attack down the left.

• 
  37

  14

  4.00

  Javi García Top of the Match

  The Spaniard looked at ease on his City debut. Was excellent on the ball and capped off a good game with his first goal for the club in the 35th minute as he headed past Begovic from close range.

• 
  18

  8

  3.50

  Yaya Touré

  At times it felt like Toure and Garcia were in complete control of the midfield and the experienced Ivorian was the man pushing his side forward at every opportunity. His vision and skill on the ball shone through for the champions

• 
  20

  10

  3.00

  Carlos Tévez

  The forward was busy in the hole behind Balotelli, making good runs off the shoulder of the Italian and threatening the Stoke goal. Provided the perfect cross for Garcia to equalise.

• 
  10

  22

  3.00

  Mario Balotelli

  Had a solid game as the main striker for City. Battled hard with Huth to get a sight of goal but was a frustrated man for most of the match as chances failed to materialise.

Substitutions

• 
  8

  8

  3.00

  Gareth Barry

  Replaced Tevez in the 63rd minute as City tried to get control of the game, and he provided a calming influence on the champions who were able to assert a little more dominance after his arrival.

• 
  6

  9

  3.00

  David Silva

  Replaced Sinclair in the 74th minute but struggled to adjust to the fast pace of the second half.

• 
  26

  7

  3.00

  Edin Dzeko

  Had little time to influence the game as a late sub.