Manchester City took on Stoke City this afternoon looking for their first win in the Premier League at the Britannia Stadium, with Manuel Pellegrini also searching for a maiden away victory in charge.
Stoke have won two of their first three games under Mark Hughes and made a bright start, with Jonathan Walters and Kenwyne Jones both spurning early chances.
City pressed late on and introduced Sergio Aguero from the bench, but were unable to break the deadlock as both sides had to settle for a point.
Look back at another frustrating afternoon for City at the Britannia with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Afternoon football fans. The Premier League is back this week after a frankly forgettable week of international action, lets hope it returns in style. Sports Mole has live coverage of every top-flight clash this afternoon, with our focus here on an intriguing clash between Stoke and Manchester City.
City arrive at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon looking to find a winning formula at a ground which has proved problematic in recent seasons. Manuel Pellegrini's men are also aiming to prove they can grind out results away from home, after capitulating at newly-promoted Cardiff City last month.
City have never won at the Britannia in the Premier League, with Pellegrini charged with ending that wretched run today. The Chilean has won two of his first three games this season, but after a summer of heavy spending expectations are high in every match.
New Stoke boss Mark Hughes has also won two of his first three games in charge this season, to make a strong start to life at the Potters. A win at West Ham United before the international break should serve as a huge confidence-boost for his new-look squad, who have shown some positive signs as they look to adjust to a new style of play.
A win against his former club City would make it Hughes's best ever start to life at a new club, in stark contrast to his nightmare opening at QPR last season.
Stoke could also spice things up this afternoon by handing debuts to a pair of deadline-day acquisitions. Former City playmaker Stephen Ireland shone at the Etihad under Hughes, but has struggled to recapture that form since, eventually ending a dismal spell at Aston Villa for a reunion with his former boss.
While Stoke fans will be familiar with Ireland the prospect of watching Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic comes with uncertainty. The former Inter Milan youngster has serious potential, but has failed to produce that on a consistent basis during a hit-and-miss spell in Germany with Werder Bremen.
City will definitely be without David Silva this afternoon, with the Spanish playmaker ruled out by a thigh problem. A pair of summer signings are competing for a start in attack though, with Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic hoping to get their chance to impress at the Britannia.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! City have made a surprising late change to their starting XI this afternoon, which sees Stevan Jovetic replace Sergio Aguero in attack for his full debut. A complete look at the starting lineups will follow in just a few moments.
STOKE XI: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters, Walters, Nzonzi, Adam, Wilson, Etheringron, Jones
CITY XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Garcia, Nastasic, Kolarov, Milner, Rodwell, Toure, Nasri, Negredo, Jovetic
Well Pellegrini's team selection has certainly thrown up a few surprises, I make that five changes in total for City. Jovetic making his debut at the expense of Aguero is a shock, while Negredo's strong early showings from the bench has proved enough to take Dzeko's place in the starting XI.
City fans will also be slightly surprised to see Joleon Lescott left out today, with Javi Garcia picked to partner Matija Nastasic in central defence. With Vincent Kompany out that area has come under intense scrutiny for the visitors, but the Spaniard once again drops back to fill that void this afternoon.
The surprises keep on coming in the City side, with Pellegrini doing his best Cilla Black impression with today's teamsheet. Jack Rodwell starts in central midfield this afternoon alongside Yaya Toure, ahead of £30m man Fernandinho. David Silva's absence we knew about prior to kickoff, with Samir Nasri coming in to play in an advanced wide position.
Last but not least the ever-dependable James Milner gets a start for City at the Britannia, with Jesus Navas missing out. That swap is perhaps to give City solidity and cover out wide, particularly if Nasri is given license to roam on the opposite flank.
Hughes on the other hand has decided to stick with an unchanged XI from the side that beat West Ham at Upton Park last time out. That means the match-winner that day Jermaine Pennant misses out on a start, while Peter Crouch continues to be left out in favour Kenwyne Jones.
Stoke had a couple of injury concerns ahead of today's match but got good news on both fronts in training yesterday. Charlie Adam missed Scotland duty last week with back trouble but starts this afternoon, while Glenn Whelan is deemed fit enough for a place on the bench.
BENCH WATCH! Both sides have a number of exciting attacking options on the bench, with deadline-day signings Ireland and Arnautovic both hoping to be called upon for instant home debuts. A full look at the subs list coming up!
STOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Whelan, Pennant, Palacios, Arnautovic, Crouch, Ireland
CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Lescott, Fernandinho, Navas, Dzeko, Aguero, Boyata
City have scored goals from the bench in each of their first three games this season, so do not be at all surprised to see Dzeko come on and make an impact this afternoon. Aguero is less likely to be introduced today, after being taken out of the starting XI just minutes before the teamsheets were officially announced.
STAT ATTACK! Stoke are aiming to record a third successive today for the first time since last December, which would in turn help Hughes make his best-ever start to a league campaign as a coach. City meanwhile are hoping to avoid back-to-back league defeats away from home for the first time since April 2011.
PREDICTION! As both sides emerge at the Britannia there is just time for to hazard a guess at this afternoon's scoreline. Despite a raft of changes I expect City to grind out a narrow victory this afternoon, but Stoke will provide a stern test. I'll go for Nasri to net in a 2-1 victory for the visitors.
We are underway at the Britannia as Mark Clattenburg as Stoke City take the centre, shooting from left to right as a long diagonal goes through to Hart from the kickoff.
An encouraging early spell of possession for Stoke as N'Zonzi and Cameron combine, with Kolarov and Toure eventually dropping to clear. Begovic then comes out to make a wayward clearance at the other end, but gets enough on his effort to avoid embarrassment.
Negredo gets an early chance to compete with Shawcross in the air as Zabaleta floats a cross into the penalty area, with Kolarov smashing high and wide on the follow-up from 25 yards.
Walters is flagged for offside as he attempts to meet a flick header from Jones, but that attack gave a clear blueprint for how Stoke can look to put pressure on Garcia. At the other end Toure is quick to rob N'Zonzi and find Nasri, who shoots straight to Begovic from just inside the penalty area.
Milner and Zabaleta combine down the right for City as the visitors break, but Stoke stay compact and clear the danger. The game is playing played at a high-tempo early on, with Pellegrini once again sticking by his fluid system with two out-and-out strikers.
Zabaleta is playing very high up on the right side and once again gets time and space to cross, with Huth hacking clear in the penalty area. Negredo and Milner then nearly link up on the same flank, with N'Zonzi able to clear and find Adam. The Scot has options and chooses the wrong one, failing to spot Cameron in space as the move breaks down.
Wilson aims a speculative drive at goal from 30 yards, which must have been at least 10 yards beyond the far post despite an encouraging roar from the home crowd.
CHANCES! Jovetic gets involved for the first time after a lovely offload from Negredo, who drives straight down Begovic's throat from range. At the other end Adam breaks down the left and picks out Walters with a wonderful cross, but with the goal at his mercy from six yards the forward fails to find the target.
Adam launches into the back of Milner as he attempts to win the ball back in midfield, conceding a foul and a getting a warning from the referee. Stoke look fired up for this one and should really have taken the lead, will Walters rue that missed opportunity?
Negredo continues a lively start by finding space in the area, before aiming a left-footed drive just beyond Begovic's right-hand post. The Spaniard looks in the mood this afternoon.
Milner shows exactly why he was selected this afternoon as he tracks a pacy burst from Etherington down the left flank, blocking a cross which goes behind for a corner kick. Etherington goes across to take the corner himself and curls into the penalty area, but Negredo times his leap to head away with authority.
Back come City with a sustained spell of possession as Nasri and Milner swap flanks, creating an overlap which Kolarov nearly takes advantage of, as the visitors win a corner kick.
Stoke clear but soon concede possession once again as Walters is unable to control, before fouling Kolarov. Cameron is then penalised soon after for tripping Nasri, as City just start to take control of this match.
Walters gets the benefit of an advantage as he out-muscles Nastasic, but is unable to pick out Jones racing through the middle. At the other end Rodwell switches play as City come forward, with Milner eventually closed out by Pieters.
N'Zonzi gets the benefit of a kind bounce in midfield and suddenly has the freedom of the City half to burst into. The Frenchman is unable to take advantage despite being clean through, with two covering defenders forcing him to check inside, and with that the chance is gone.
SAVE! Stoke get another gilt-edged chance as Nasri is bullied off the ball by Jones well inside his own half. The striker races through on goal but is quickly closed down by Hart, who makes a strong stop to deny Jones from a tight angle. Worrying signs there for the visitors!
Kolarov drives inside, beating two players before finding Rodwell inside. The Englishman is just about to pull the trigger from 25 yards when N'Zonzi puts in a precise sliding challenge, which gets a roar from the home crowd.
Jovetic comes deep to receive the ball from Rodwell, cutting inside before dragging a scuffed shot well wide from 20 yards. It's been a quiet debut from the Montenegro striker, who has largely drifted into wide areas bar a few neat flicks to Negredo.
City play their way into trouble again as Nastasic scoops a casual clearance into midfield. Adam picks up the ball before getting past Toure, with his drive from distance well held by Hart. Stoke are winning that midfield battle without question!
Jovetic wins a dangerous free kick around 30 yards from goal after being brought down by Huth. Kolarov steps up to take confidently but drives well over the crossbar, despite a late dive to his right by Begovic.
Just the one extra minute at the Britannia as Shawcross wins a free kick after an aerial challenge with Negredo.
HALF TIME Stoke 0-0 City
A hard-fought first half then at the Britannia, with both sides just lacking that killer instinct in the final third. Stoke boss Hughes will probably be the happier of the two managers at the interval, with his side committed and creating a pair of clear-cut chances in that first period.
City made five changes this afternoon and have looked slightly disjointed, particularly in central midfield, where they have been consistently outnumbered. Central defence also remains a worry, although Nastasic and Garcia have escaped unscathed so far.
Negredo and Jovetic have formed a new-look attack for the visitors this afternoon, which despite some neat exchanges has not paid off in the first period. Negredo in particular looks lively and has relished the aerial duel with Huth and Shawcross, but lacks service.
You have to think that Pellegrini will make changes if the pattern of play persists after the break, with Fernandinho an option who would add much-needed bite in central midfield. N'Zonzi has really enjoyed himself in there this afternoon, with support from Adam and Wilson.
Both sides are back out at the Britannia and ready to get this tight clash back underway. Expect the likes of Crouch, Aguero and Dzeko to have a decisive impact from the bench if this one remains goalless.
City get the second half started and play the ball back to Hart, keeping possession deep before Negredo looks to win a free kick after a tussle out wide with Huth. Referee Clattenburg takes him time and eventually gives the free kick, before warning Negredo not to make a meal of those appeals via the aid of Toure as an interpreter.
Another wonderful opportunity spurned for Stoke and once again its Walters, who fails to get on the end of a wonderful curling cross towards the near post from Cameron. City break quickly at the other end through Jovetic, who fires over from range.
Shawcross defends neatly under pressure from Negredo and hooks upfield, but to nobody in particular. City then once again aim to build from deep, as Jones is rather harshly judged to have tripped Garcia.
YELLOW CARD! Garcia picks up a booking after lunging in to a sliding challenge on Jones, which looked a clear sign of a player unsure positionally. Pellegrini has stuck by the Spaniard in that unfamiliar central defensive role though, for now at least.
CHANCE! Stoke go direct and should really have just taken a deserved lead through Jones. The forward rose highest to meet a pinpoint cross from Adam, but with the goal at his mercy directed a header just beyond the far post. Hughes must be disappointed his side have failed to take any of these strong openings so far today.
City win a corner kick as Pieters decides to take no chances at the far post, heading behind. Nasri whips a corner towards the near posr, which is headed partially clear by N'Zonzi.
Pieters blocks off Milner with a cynical foul that gifts City a free kick out wide, which results in Jovetic heading wide at the far post. That is just about as close as City have come to an opener, but there is still plenty of time to remedy a frustrating afternoon.
Adam keeps Hart honest with a powerful strike from 30 yards, which has almost no backlift behind it but still generates enough venom to force the keeper into a save.
SUBSTITUTION: City have just made their first change of the afternoon, with Aguero on to replace Jovetic. The Argentine striker was a surprise omission from the starting XI, but now has around 25 minutes to make a positive impact at the Britannia.
Zabaleta just about bails out Garcia with a superb covering tackle, after Garcia had given the ball away inside his own penalty area with a shocking miscue. Luckily for his Zabaleta read the danger and stopped Etherington connecting at the far post.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Stoke have decided to make a double change and its a pair of debuts. Arnautovic and Ireland have come on for the hosts to make their home bows, in place of Adam and Etherington.
CHANCE! Another wonderful opportunity for the hosts as Hart makes a superb last-ditch save. A speculative effort deflects off Nasatasic and is heading towards goal, but a stop from Hart parries. Jones is on hand to pick up the pieces, but can only hammer over from close range.
SUBSTITUTION: Pellegrini makes another positive to try and find a response from his beleaguered troops. Jesus Navas is the player called upon to make an impact, replacing Nasri.
Kenwyne Jones has gone down nursing an ankle problem, which he reportedly had going into the match. Looks like that will be the striker's last action today, which is a real shame for Stoke as the big man has been brilliant at times in leading the line alone.
SUBSTITUTION: Jones limps to the touchline to be replaced by Crouch, who now has just over 10 minutes to make an impact. This match could still go either way despite Stoke's impressive efforts to nullify the visitors.
Huth has now gone down heavily after being caught in a sandwich between Begovic and Negredo. The defender looks to be completely out of it as the physio rushes on. Stoke have made all three subs, so let's hope the big German recovers.
After a spell with the smelling salts Huth is coming back on. It looks like he took a knee straight to the spine from Negredo in that clash, but thankfully is back on to continue.
Arnautovic tracks back to help out in defence, but then concedes a foul after hauling over Toure on the halfway line. Neither sides looks likely here in the closing stages, as N'Zonzi does well to keep possession under pressure on the far side.
Stoke get a late chance to smash forward as Negredo concedes a foul. Eventually Cameron loops into the danger zone, but Ireland is caught in two mind and scoops a harmless chip straight through to a grateful Hart.
Into stoppage time as Crouch wins a free kick just outside the penalty area, thanks to a silly foul from Nastasic as he leans into the forward. It looks like Arnautovic is going to be strike, but after a long wait the Austrian's effort is scooped well over. We will have six additional minutes!
Cameron does well to stick with Aguero but his hard work is then undone by Walters, who brings down Toure to give away a free kick, with a booking following soon after. Stoke clear quickly and counter through N'Zonzi, who annoys the home crowd by going backwards with men over.
Huth is livid as he concedes a corner attempting to shepherd the ball out under pressure from Milner. When the cross comes in Negredo attempts to connect with a volley at the far post, but off-balance gets his effort all wrong as the ball trickles behind for a goal kick.
Ireland helps the ball on to Arnautovic, who curls a speculative effort just over the crossbar. That should just about do it.
FULL TIME Stoke 0-0 City
Well, in the end both sides have to settle for a point on a frustrating afternoon for City, who just failed to show any spark in the final third. Stoke had chances to break the deadlock but Walters and Jones were unable to make them count. Hughes is now four matches unbeaten in all competitions.
That just about does it for live text coverage of a committed encounter from the Britannia. Thanks for joining us and be sure to stick with Sports Mole for comprehensive analysis in around 30 minutes time. Good afternoon!
