But any lingering hopes Mancini may have had over an astonishing collapse for City's bitter neighbours were extinguished here in a performance that was at times a stroll.
Defending set pieces has been one of Stoke's renowned strengths but even that art has deserted Pulis's team as their season has unravelled.
Van Persie's corner was not sufficiently cleared after Phil Jones's attempted acrobatics and Carrick capitalised on the hesitancy to stab the ball into the corner.
Wayne Rooney then tested Asmir Begovic from distance as United were allowed an embarrassing amount of time and space to dictate the play in midfield.
These are indeed worrying times for Pulis, who has never been relegated as a manager, and it seems light years ago that the Britannia Stadium was considered one of the most inhospitable venues in the country. On current form it resembles more of a flimsy wendy-house than a fortress.
Stoke finally displayed some of their trademark defiance and intensity midway through the half and Robert Huth headed over from a Glenn Whelan free kick but David de Gea, who was highlighted as United's weakness here last season, was untroubled.
While Stoke's shortage of goals remains alarming, van Persie's own drought had been a mystery and he could have scored early in the second half when he was released in the box by Javier Hernandez's exquisite cross-field pass but he drove his shot into the side netting.
But just when Stoke appeared to establishing a foothold, United sucked the life out of them by extending their lead in the 66th minute. Rooney found van Persie in the box and he was upended by Andy Wilkinson before quickly getting up to slot home the penalty.
Though Ferguson has insisted the £22 million signing's lack of recent goals was not an issue, van Persie clearly enjoyed the moment, running all the way to the dug-out to give Ferguson a bear-hug. Normal service has been resumed.
Stoke (4-5-1): Begovic; Cameron (Jerome 71), Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Shotton, Whelan, N'Zonzi, Adam, Walters (Owen 77); Jones (Crouch 84). Subs not used: Sorensen (gk), Palacios, Whitehead, Kightly.
United (4-4-2): De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Rooney, Kagawa; Hernandez (Welbeck 78), van Persie. Subs not used: Lindegaard (gk), Evans, Giggs, Smalling, Cleverley, Buttner. Booked: Valencia
More Info: [Live Football] Hajer - to the Shoalah - Saudi League
No comments:
Post a Comment