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Although Manchester United extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 games, they could only manage a draw against a resurgent Stoke side. The home side got off to the perfect start when Peter Crouch’s knock down was hammered home by Ryan Shawcross in the second minute.The visitors though were able to shrug off a sluggish start and started to settle into the game. A well worked corner kick from Wayne Rooney meant that Radamel Falcao was on hand to level the scores before half time. The windy conditions made it difficult for both players and they had to be content with a share of the spoils in the Premier League’s first game of 2015.Here are the major talking points from the game.
#1 United can\'t do it on a wet, windy weekday in Stoke
After disappointing away draws at Aston Villa and Tottenham, United knew that they needed all three points if they are to have any chance of keeping in touch with the top two. While the wind did play a big part in the game, it shouldn't really affect a side who are going for the title and have a good record against Stoke.
As Chelsea showed a couple of weeks ago, if you defend well and are clinical in attack you can come away with all three points. Unfortunately, Red Devils were neither and although a point isn't a bad result by any means, especially given their performance, it is one that means that they aren't title contenders this season and might have to be content with third place.
#2 Rash defending almost cost United
Louis Van Gaal started the game with the three centre backs he had at the start of the season in Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. Their performances highlighted just why many have felt that United didn't have a good summer transfer window. Going away to Stoke City is never easy, but it becomes even more difficult when you start heaping pressure on yourselves.
Smalling was lucky not to give away a penalty for hand ball in the second half, while both Evans and Jones conceded unnecessary free kicks and invited pressure onto an already fragile defence. Although they came away with a draw, they were lucky in the end, to not have lost as Stoke hit the post and had a couple of good chances from which they should have scored.
#3 Stoke evolving but retain basics
Ever since their promotion to the Premier League, Stoke have built their seasons around being solid at home and nicking a few wins away from home. But before the start of this game, they had almost as many points away from home as they had at home. They weren't playing as many long balls as they were in previous seasons and were actually looking a lot more entertaining to watch.
But without the injured Bojan Krcic and playing against a side that isn't known for its defensive prowess, Stoke knew that they had to simplify their method of attack. The conditions as well, made it easier for them to play that way, but even still the Potters showed that while they might play more attacking football, they are still just as effective when they employ more agricultural methods of attacking.
Although they should have won the game, Mark Hughes would have been disappointed with the fact that for a side that is so good in the air, they conceded their 11th goal from a set-piece this season. If they can correct that, they stand a very good chance of finishing in the top half of the table.
#4 Substitutions cede United\'s advantage
Substitutions are often a gamble that no one can predict. Sometimes, when you go for the win, you can end up losing the game. Against Stoke, Van Gaal made a baffling decision when he decided to take off Falcao, who was the side's best player on the pitch and Luke Shaw, who was slowly starting to enjoy a bit of success down the left flank.
Adnan Januzaj, who came on for Shaw struggled to make an impact on the game and without Falcao, the Red Devils didn't have someone up front, who was taking the game to the defenders and forcing them into making mistakes.
If Van Gaal wanted to bring on Ander Herrera and push Rooney up front, he would have been better off substituting his compatriot, who was once again anonymous and failed to have an impact on the game. Instead he chose to remove Falcao, who was visibly surprised and that decision almost cost his side.
#5 Stoke must hold onto Crouch
If anybody had forgotten just how important Peter Crouch is to Stoke City, then his performance against United, should serve as a welcome reminder for those who question his position in the side. The Englishman terrorised the visitors defence and was unlucky not to finish the game with a goal.
Not only did he create the first goal for Shawcross, he also hit the post and should have had a penalty when his goal-bound header was blocked by Smalling's outstretched arm.
With Tony Pulis set to take over at West Brom, there have been rumours that Crouch might move to the Baggies in January. And although the Potters might be moving away from a more simplistic style of football, there is still a place for Crouch in the line up and it would be silly of them to sell him.
