Shawcross: Stoke always confident against Premier League’s best

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross believes his side can continue to pick up good results against the Premier League’s elite if they keep defending in the manner they showed in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Manchester City.

The Potters restricted City to only one shot on target during the match at the Etihad Stadium, as they dealt a blow to their hosts’ fading hopes of chasing down Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Shawcross was named man of the match, as he and his teammates ensured there was no repeat of their last performance away from home, when they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur.

Shawcross said: “We let ourselves down against Spurs in terms of our performance and maybe our effort, so it was important to produce a more solid and resolute showing.

“There were one or two things that had to be addressed after that game and you could see tonight that we have learned from them, and have been able to take a deserved point.

“It is always going to be difficult coming to places like this, but we showed tonight that we are capable of competing with these clubs and taking positive results.

“I thought to a man we were fantastic, from Jon Walters and Saido [Berahino] up front right back to Lee Grant in goal – we got it spot on.”