Rate it!

52 votes

A late Carlos Tevez goal spared Manchester United's blushes as they beat 10-man Stoke 1-0 in a fractious encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

The Argentinian rammed home just his second Premier League goal of the season on 83 minutes as the champions claimed maximum points despite a vexing afternoon.

Stoke had right-back Andy Wilkinson sent off for two bookable offences, but a more strict referee than Chris Foy might have shown a red card to any or all of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville.

Rooney could face further disciplinary action after appearing to throw an elbow at Abdoulaye Faye.

The newly-crowed Club World Cup champions were denied an easy return to domestic action by Tony Pulis's side, and their problems were deepened by a pre-match back injury to Rio Ferdinand, which saw Jonny Evans come into the starting line-up at short notice.

It would be unfair on Stoke to put United's lacklustre display down to jet lag following their return from Japan.

This was a far cry from the 5-3 knockabout against Gamba Osaka. Stoke showed all the qualities that have earned them five home wins this season - power, desire and an ability to play to their strengths and their opponents' weaknesses.

Early on, the nervous-looking Evans misjudged a high ball and allowed Ricardo Fuller a shot, which flew over, so Stoke decided to test him again.

The Northern Irishman's hesitancy dealing with long balls with the sun in his eyes was ruthlessly exploited time and might have led to a goal but for a Fuller footware malfunction.

The Jamaican raced clear down the right channel, but lost a boot and fell over as his socked left foot slipped on the turf when he tried to change direction.

The home side also used the familiar tool of Rory Delap's long throws - the Irishman's strained shoulder having kept him out of action recently - and one from the right side flicked Ryan Shawcross's head, forcing a sharp save from Edwin van der Sar.

In the second half they went even closer when Delap found the unmarked Danny Pugh, whose header brushed the top of the net on its way over.

United dominated over two-thirds of possession but struggled to transform that into goals, or even clear-cut chances.

Wilkinson had been a thorn in Ronaldo's side, reducing the world's greatest player to virtual anonymity with his dogged, physical play.

However, that physicality spilled over on 72 minutes when he launched a needless tackle from behind at the winger. Referee Foy showed him a second yellow card.

In the main, however, it was United who lost their cool. Rooney's indiscretion was missed by Foy and the England striker escaped a red card.

And Ronaldo also flicked his leg at Wilkinson after being upended for the umpteenth time, although his action was more petulant than reprehensible and may have provoked the tackle that got the Stoke man sent off.

Late on, Neville clashed with Glenn Whelan in an incident that saw both men booked.

Opportunities for United were scarce. Rooney and Nemanja Vidic went close with first-half glancing headers while a trademark Paul Scholes shot brought a superb save from Sorensen.

But as it looked like another Big Four side would slip up, United were saved by two strikers who are not supposed to be supposed to play together.

Tevez started in place of Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian came off the bench and volleyed a low cross from the right that the Argentinian finished gleefully.

Alex Chick / Eurosport