Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has acknowledged that Manchester City were the better side in their Premier League encounter this afternoon.

Pablo Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero all netted in a comfortable 3-0 win for the champions, ending Stoke's 10-match unbeaten run in the process.

Pulis admitted that his side were not at their best, but believes that City's resources always made a win for his side unlikely.

"I've no complaints, they were the better team. Someone has just asked me what the difference was - I said about £220m. For us to come here we have to bring our 'A' game and City have to be off it," said Pulis.

"That wasn't the case today but you have to sometimes open your eyes and look at the reality of everything. They have got a bit of a head start on clubs like us. I don't know whether it was because it was the fourth game in the holiday period and we didn't bring our 'A' game - but I am not going to criticise the players.

"They still worked their socks off, they worked very hard. City were the better team. You hold your hands up and dust yourself down. We have got a tough game now at Crystal Palace."

The result leaves Stoke ninth in the Premier League table, level on points with eighth-placed Swansea City.