Mark Hughes hails 'immense' Joe Allen after goal earns Stoke draw

Mark Hughes labelled Joe Allen "immense" after his superb performance and goal helped Stoke to a draw at Manchester United.

Allen smashed home an 83rd-minute equaliser at Old Trafford but Hughes believed the Wales midfielder's all-round performance was worthy of man of the match.

Hughes even admitted he has been surprised with how good a player Allen is after spending £13m to bring him in from Liverpool in the summer.

He said: "Joe was immense again. He's been excellent since he came to the club.

"I knew I was getting a good player - clearly because I spent £13m on him - but sometimes you don't understand how good a player you have in the building until you work with him day-in, day-out.

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"He is an intelligent player. He's got great energy levels, we all see that every day, but that's not all. He's got good awareness of situations and how to affect the game. His anticipation is first class in the box and in midfield."

Stoke earned a second successive draw after a run of four straight defeats and the point at Hughes' old club lifted them off the bottom of the Premier League - but the they still remain winless from seven games.

Hughes said: "It is a good point for us. We have shown we are a good side at this level. We can more than compete and I think it was important we got something out of the game. It was the least we deserved.

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"We were disciplined in our play. Against some of the other top level teams, like Manchester City and Tottenham, we chased the game too early and they picked us off going the other way. That can happen at Old Trafford too but we kept our shape waiting for moments, and thankfully it was able to come."

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