Stoke City made light of a numerical disadvantage at the Britannia Stadium to take a three-point haul against Manchester City, as James Beattie's first-half header proved to be the game's only goal.
In truth it was the game's only real redeeming point, as Rory Delap's rush of blood to the head deprived his side of a full complement from the 38th minute.
A turgid first half that saw the ball treated with scant regard was final awoken from its slumbers by Delap's trip and hack at Shaun Wright-Phillips. That a sending off for violent conduct was a highlight says much for the game.
Taking umbrage at Wright-Phillips' lunging tackle on Danny Pugh, Stoke's long-throw machine Delap tripped the diminutive wide man from behind before kicking the ball into the City man's torso.
Wright-Phillips was perhaps fortunate not to receive a card of his own as he too retaliated, but rather than sink Stoke, the incident saw them if not soar certainly stirred.
City, lethargic throughout and awful in possession, were caught napping at the back decisively on the stroke of half-time, as Matthew Etherington was given too much time to get in a cross from the left, while Wayne Bridge's challenge on the soaring Beattie at the back post was limp at best.
Beattie, though, deserves real credit for a fine bullet of a header that gave Joe Hart not a prayer in the visitors' goal.
The second period predictably saw Stoke defend in numbers and while City had the odd moment of sustained pressure, Mark Hughes will wonder how so much money can buy so little invention.
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