Stoke 2-0 Man City: Marko Arnautovic double dents City's title push

Marko Arnautovic’s first-half double dented Manchester City’s Premier League title push as Stoke sealed a superb 2-0 win at the Britannia Stadium.

Mark Hughes' side struck in the seventh minute as Arnautovic tapped home from close range after brilliant wing play from Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Austrian doubled his side's advantage seven minutes later, racing onto another Shaqiri pass before sliding the ball past Joe Hart.

Jack Butland was forced into action to deny efforts from both Kevin De Bruyne and Aleksandar Kolarov but in truth it was a comfortable afternoon for Stoke, who moved up to ninth and into the top 10 in the table for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, City - who are without a win from their last four league matches away from home - would be knocked off top spot following wins for Leicester and Arsenal in the 3pm kick-offs.

City, who made four changes with Hart, David Silva, Fernando and Wilfried Bony returning in place of Willy Caballero, Fabian Delph, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, found themselves behind from Stoke's first real attack as Shaqiri beat two City players on the right flank, before fizzing in a cross for Arnautovic to tap home.

Pellegrini's men, who enjoyed a 4-1 victory at the Britannia last season, could have been back on level terms in the 14th minute but for Butland's important stop to keep out De Bruyne's low shot from just inside the area.

However, a minute later it was Hart picking the ball out of his net for a second time as Shaqiri again released Arnautovic with an inch-perfect through-ball, and the Austria international made no mistake with a first-time finish past the onrushing Hart.

Stoke were carving out chance after chance with the front three of Bojan, Shaqiri and Arnautovic picking the City backline apart with ease, and the Austrian hit the outside of the post with a header from Glenn Whelan's left-wing cross.

Butland was called into action again in the 41st minute to block Kolarov's fierce drive at the near post but Stoke hit back immediately with Arnautovic - played in by another Shaqiri through ball - denied by the post again.

Searching for a hat-trick, Arnautovic continued to pose a threat after the break, heading just past the post after Bojan forced Hart into a save at the near post.

Pellegrini had seen enough and with just over 30 minutes remaining he threw on Kelechi Iheanacho and Delph in place of Bony and Fernandinho, before making his final change in the 62nd minute as Silva made way for Jesus Navas.

However, City continued to struggle in the final third as Stoke threatened on the break, and they should have had their third when goal hero Arnautovic turned provider, but with an open goal in front of him Shaqiri failed to make contact with the Austrian's cross.

Minutes later, the hosts had another golden chance to make the game completely safe as Shaqiri slipped Bojan clean through on goal, but despite beating Hart, the Spaniard could not beat Nicolas Otamendi.

City, who finished the game with 10 men due to an injury to Fernando, hit the side netting through Kolarov's powerful drive but it was an all-too-rare effort on goal for the visitors as Stoke completed a memorable victory.

Player ratings

Stoke: Butland (8), Pieters (7), Johnson (7), Shawcross (7), Wollscheid (7), Whelan (7), Arnautovic (9), Afellay (7), Cameron (7), Shaqiri (9), Bojan (8).

Subs: Van Ginkel (6), Joselu (6), Walters (5).

Man City: Hart (6), Sagna (6), Otamendi (5), Demichelis (4), Kolarov (6), De Bruyne (6), Fernando (5), Fernandinho (5), Silva (5), Sterling (6), Bony (5).

Subs: Navas (5), Kelechi (5), Delph (5).

Man of the Match: Marko Arnautovic

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