Match ends, Crystal Palace 1, Stoke City 1.
Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace1StokeStoke City1
- McArthur scores first goal since joining Palace
- Crouch equalises within two minutes
- Palace now have just one win in 10
Crystal Palace and Stoke fought out a scrappy draw after exchanging goals within two minutes early in the match.
James McArthur grabbed his first goal since joining Palace in September with a header that looped over Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
But Peter Crouch equalised from close range just 92 seconds later when he latched on to a kind deflection.
Other chances were scarce, but Palace keeper Julian Speroni denied McArthur with a fine save after the break.
The Potters could not replicate their efforts from their fine 3-2 win over Arsenal a week earlier, and seemed content to leave south London with a point.
But following Crouch's quick leveller, Mark Hughes' side could not find enough momentum to string together back-to-back wins for the first time in the league this season.
Hughes' counterpart Neil Warnock is likely to be unhappy that Palace lost their lead so rapidly as they sought a first win since their 3-1 victory over Liverpool on 23 November.
The Eagles' main threats came from Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie, and Warnock will need his wide men to be at their best to end a worrying run of just one win in 10 matches.
Bolasie was lively from the outset and set up McArthur's goal with a flick from the left flank that the Scot, signed from Wigan on transfer deadline day, got enough of a touch on it to outwit Begovic.
But the visitors drew level within two minutes when Bojan fed Jon Walters, whose shot took a deflection that landed perfectly for Crouch to sweep home from inside the six-yard box.
The former England striker had one of the game's few other chances, but it came late on in a match that deteriorated in quality.
Speroni was equal to Crouch's volleyed effort, but Palace's Argentine keeper had had little to worry about as Stoke were unable to pierce a determined home defence.
McArthur went close to adding a second with one of the few lively moments of the second half, his shot from the edge of the area through a crowd of players forcing Begovic to drop late to his right and make a fine save.
Palace had claims for a penalty against Erik Pieters ignored by referee Kevin Friend after the ball appeared to strike the Dutch defender's arm.
Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock: "It was probably a war of attrition.
"It's difficult when you get teams who have that set way and who are time-wasting from the start, and you've got to cope with that.
"The problem we had was we didn't keep the lead for long enough."
Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "We're reasonably pleased with a point at Palace. Sometimes it's not easy to get on the ball and play the game you want to.
"The pitch wasn't great today in terms of trying to play the kind of passing game we've been playing of late.
"We've struggled, certainly last year, on our travels, and it was about making sure we got something out of the game."
Line-ups
Crystal Palace
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Speroni
- 34Kelly
- 6DannBooked at 90mins
- 4Hangeland
- 2Ward
- 18McArthurSubstituted forBannanat 85'minutes
- 15Jedinak
- 28Ledley
- 11ZahaSubstituted forPuncheonat 61'minutes
- 29ChamakhBooked at 67minsSubstituted forGayleat 77'minutes
- 7Bolasie
Substitutes
- 10Campbell
- 13Hennessey
- 14Thomas
- 16Gayle
- 25Bannan
- 27Delaney
- 42Puncheon
Stoke
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Begovic
- 2Bardsley
- 17Shawcross
- 12Wilson
- 3Pieters
- 20Cameron
- 15N'Zonzi
- 19Walters
- 27BojanSubstituted forArnautovicat 55'minutes
- 18Diouf
- 25Crouch
Substitutes
- 4Huth
- 6Whelan
- 7Ireland
- 10Arnautovic
- 16Adam
- 22Butland
- 24Assaidi
- Referee:
- Kevin Friend
- Attendance:
- 23,038
Match Stats
Home TeamCrystal PalaceAway TeamStoke
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home9
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Crystal Palace 1, Stoke City 1.
Post update
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace).
Booking
Scott Dann (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Scott Dann (Crystal Palace).
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Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace).
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Attempt saved. Peter Crouch (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Crystal Palace. Barry Bannan replaces James McArthur.
Post update
Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Jonathan Walters.
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Phil Bardsley (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace).
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Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Martin Kelly (Crystal Palace).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Crystal Palace. Dwight Gayle replaces Marouane Chamakh because of an injury.
Post update
Delay in match Marouane Chamakh (Crystal Palace) because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
