By Michael Da Silva BBC Sport

Manchester United relinquished their 100% Premier League record after an absorbing contest at Stoke.

United opened the scoring through Nani, who exchanged passes with Darren Fletcher, before finishing beyond Asmir Begovic with aplomb.

David De Gea pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep United ahead but Stoke levelled in the 52nd minute through Peter Crouch's emphatic header.

Ryan Giggs squandered a great late chance as the points were shared.

United remain ahead of Manchester City by virtue of superior goal difference - but this is a game Sir Alex Ferguson's side could easily have lost.

Wave after wave of pulsating attacks had both sides hanging on in an end-to-end second half.

A late United winner would have been harsh on Stoke who acquitted themselves well against a United side that have swept all before them this season.

Stoke deserved a point - Ferguson

But the miss will disappoint Giggs, who sliced his side-foot volley wide after Nani's floated cross had picked him out.

United were without Wayne Rooney due to a hamstring injury, and then lost Jonny Evans in the warm-up, meaning Antonio Valencia was drafted in to play at right-back.

A feisty start at the Britannia Stadium resulted in an early blow for Javier Hernandez, scorer of three goals in his previous two games against Stoke, who was forced off with an injury.

The incident also should have resulted in United being awarded a penalty after Hernandez, who was clean through on goal, was nudged in the back by Jonathan Woodgate, sending him clattering into Begovic.

Having suffered a head injury on United's summer tour of the United States and a knock to his shin against Chelsea last week, Hernandez is now back on the treatment table with a dead leg.

Tackles were flying in from all angles and referee Peter Walton showed Glenn Whelan a yellow card for a reckless lunge on Patrice Evra - with Ferguson barking for further punishment.

But a patched up United scored with their first clear-cut chance in the 27th minute.

A one-two with Fletcher allowed Nani to shift the ball onto his left foot before caressing his shot beyond Begovic.

Within a minute of Nani's goal United had David de Gea to thank for preserving their lead, with the Spaniard making a stunning reflex save from Andy Wilkinson's rasping drive, tipping the ball on to the bar.

Crouch will be good for Stoke - Pulis

Stoke continued to dictate in the minutes before half-time but another outstanding stop from the £18m goalkeeper denied Walters, getting down low to make a fingertip save to his right.

The cut and thrust of the first half dissolved as Stoke pinned United back during the opening minutes of the match and made their pressure pay in the 51st minute.

Matthew Etherington whipped in an unplayable corner from the right, Crouch darted between Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand and leapt high to head in.

Two minutes later United's flaky defence was exposed by Jermaine Pennant, whose flighted cross found Crouch unmarked six yards out, with De Gea making a crucial save with his right elbow.

United were rocking and a Mark Wilson piledriver in the 68th minute stung the palms of De Gea.

A breathless second half saw the pendulum swing one way then the other before United were claiming handball against Ryan Shawcross, who appeared to block Evra's shot with the back of his upper arm - but the appeals proved in vain.

Crouch could have clinched the winner when he chested down Pennant's cross from the right, but dragged his shot wide.

Giggs' late miss left him staring to the heavens in despair as United surrendered what was the last remaining 100% record in England.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Stoke City

  • 01 Begovic
  • 17 Shawcross
  • 28 Wilkinson (Huth - 83' )
  • 39 Woodgate
  • 06 Whelan Booked
  • 12 Wilson
  • 16 Pennant (Jerome - 90' )
  • 24 Delap (Whitehead - 85' )
  • 26 Etherington
  • 19 Walters
  • 25 Crouch

Substitutes

  • 29 Sorensen
  • 04 Huth
  • 20 Upson
  • 30 Shotton
  • 18 Whitehead
  • 40 Palacios
  • 33 Jerome

Manchester United

  • 01 De Gea
  • 03 Evra
  • 04 Jones
  • 05 Ferdinand
  • 08 Anderson
  • 17 Nani
  • 18 Young (Giggs - 70' )
  • 24 Fletcher
  • 25 Valencia
  • 09 Berbatov (Welbeck - 70' )
  • 14 Hernandez (Owen - 11' )

Substitutes

  • 34 Lindegaard
  • 20 Fabio Da Silva
  • 11 Giggs
  • 13 Park Ji-sung
  • 07 Owen
  • 19 Welbeck
  • 27 Macheda
Ref: Walton
Att: 27,582

Match Stats

Shots

14 13

On target

8 9

Corners

8 8

Fouls

10 3

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:24 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +3:48

Luis Nani delivers the ball, save by Asmir Begovic.

90:00 +2:33

The official flags Michael Owen offside. Asmir Begovic takes the indirect free kick.

90:00 +2:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luis Nani by Marc Wilson. Free kick taken by Luis Nani.

90:00 +1:06 Substitution

Substitution Jermaine Pennant leaves the field to be replaced by Cameron Jerome.

90:00 +0:43

Ryan Giggs produces a left-footed shot from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

87:39

Unfair challenge on Jonathan Woodgate by Luis Nani results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

86:38

Centre by Marc Wilson.

85:50

Effort from inside the area by Peter Crouch misses to the left of the target.

84:31 Substitution

Substitution Dean Whitehead joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rory Delap.

82:24

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Etherington from the right by-line, Headed effort from close range by Peter Crouch goes wide left of the target.

82:08 Substitution

Substitution Andy Wilkinson leaves the field to be replaced by Robert Huth.

78:00

Jermaine Pennant sends in a cross.

77:23

Centre by Jonathan Walters, save by David De Gea.

76:36

Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Michael Owen misses to the right of the target.

76:02

Short corner taken by Ryan Giggs from the left by-line.

75:48

The ball is crossed by Ryan Giggs, Ryan Shawcross manages to make a clearance.

75:31

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs from the left by-line, clearance by Rory Delap.

75:07

Luis Nani takes a shot. Glenn Whelan gets a block in.

74:44

Jermaine Pennant delivers the ball, save by David De Gea.

73:50

Outswinging corner taken by Ryan Giggs from the left by-line played to the near post, Asmir Begovic makes a save.

70:53

The ball is swung over by Jermaine Pennant, Rio Ferdinand makes a clearance.

68:52

Indirect free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

68:52 Substitution

Substitution Danny Welbeck joins the action as a substitute, replacing Dimitar Berbatov.

68:52 Substitution

Substitution Ashley Young goes off and Ryan Giggs comes on.

68:52

Patrice Evra takes a shot. Ryan Shawcross gets a block in. Michael Owen is caught offside.

68:45

Ashley Young takes a shot. Asmir Begovic makes a save.

66:14

Antonio Valencia is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Marc Wilson has an effort direct from the free kick, save made by David De Gea.

64:55

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Wilkinson on Patrice Evra. Direct free kick taken by Patrice Evra.

62:53

Marc Wilson has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.

62:41

The ball is sent over by Jermaine Pennant.

61:04

Oliveira Anderson takes a shot. Save made by Asmir Begovic.

58:25

The offside flag is raised against Peter Crouch. David De Gea takes the indirect free kick.

57:20

The assistant referee flags for offside against Ashley Young. Asmir Begovic takes the indirect free kick.

54:16

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jermaine Pennant.

54:03

Peter Crouch takes a shot. Save made by David De Gea.

53:48

Jermaine Pennant produces a cross.

53:15

Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by Asmir Begovic.

51:40

Matthew Etherington provided the assist for the goal.

51:40 Goal scored

Goal - Peter Crouch - Stoke 1 - 1 Man Utd Peter Crouch scores a headed goal from close in. Stoke 1-1 Man Utd.

51:22

Matthew Etherington takes the inswinging corner,

50:12

A cross is delivered by Ashley Young.

47:12

Matthew Etherington crosses the ball, save made by David De Gea.

45:11

Foul by Patrice Evra on Jermaine Pennant, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matthew Etherington from right wing.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +4:13 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.

45:00 +2:37

Rio Ferdinand fouled by Jonathan Walters, the ref awards a free kick. David De Gea restarts play with the free kick.

45:00 +1:27

The ball is delivered by Matthew Etherington, Rio Ferdinand manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +0:45

Corner taken by Ashley Young from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Rory Delap.

45:00 +0:34

Phil Jones takes a shot. Blocked by Ryan Shawcross.

42:19

The ball is sent over by Jonathan Walters.

41:41

Luis Nani takes a shot. Save by Asmir Begovic.

41:07

Oliveira Anderson decides to take the corner short, Luis Nani sends in a cross, Andy Wilkinson makes a clearance.

38:16

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jermaine Pennant played to the near post.

36:35

Corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Peter Crouch.

35:20

Jermaine Pennant takes the inswinging corner, Jonathan Woodgate has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.

35:04

Jonathan Walters takes a shot. Save made by David De Gea.

34:09

Centre by Luis Nani, clearance by Jermaine Pennant.

33:29

Rory Delap has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area missing to the wide left of the goal.

33:15

The ball is delivered by Jonathan Walters, Rio Ferdinand manages to make a clearance.

32:58

Ashley Young takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Wilkinson.

31:29

Effort on goal by Luis Nani from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

27:52

Corner taken by Matthew Etherington from the right by-line, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Phil Jones by Rory Delap. David De Gea takes the free kick.

27:33

Andy Wilkinson takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

26:34

The assist for the goal came from Darren Fletcher.

26:34 Goal scored

Goal - Luis Nani - Stoke 0 - 1 Man Utd Luis Nani gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Stoke 0-1 Man Utd.

25:23

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marc Wilson on Luis Nani. Darren Fletcher takes the direct free kick.

24:32

Peter Crouch gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rio Ferdinand. Free kick taken by David De Gea.

22:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Oliveira Anderson on Jermaine Pennant. Matthew Etherington delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Darren Fletcher makes a clearance.

17:45

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Oliveira Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

16:51

Marc Wilson produces a cross, Rio Ferdinand gets a block in.

15:59

Jermaine Pennant sends in a cross, clearance made by Phil Jones.

14:03

Andy Wilkinson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young. Oliveira Anderson restarts play with the free kick.

13:08

Peter Crouch takes a shot. Phil Jones gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Etherington, Peter Crouch produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

10:44

Ashley Young takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Jonathan Walters.

10:44 Substitution

Substitution Michael Owen joins the action as a substitute, replacing Javier Hernandez.

9:32

Jermaine Pennant takes a shot. Blocked by Phil Jones.

8:04

Peter Crouch takes a shot. Rio Ferdinand gets a block in.

6:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marc Wilson on Luis Nani. Luis Nani crosses the ball in from the free kick.

6:05

Direct free kick taken by Oliveira Anderson.

6:05 Booking

Booking Glenn Whelan receives a yellow card.

5:58

Free kick awarded for a foul by Glenn Whelan on Patrice Evra.

5:36

Jonathan Walters concedes a free kick for a foul on Phil Jones. Oliveira Anderson takes the free kick.

0:51

Short corner taken by Matthew Etherington.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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