A brace from Charlie Adam has consigned Manchester United to their first-ever defeat at the hands of Stoke City in the Premier League, with David Moyes's side losing 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium.
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United were the first to create a chance when Wayne Rooney let fly from 35 yards out, but his shot was saved by Asmir Begovic at the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.
Rooney had another great chance a few minutes later when Patrice Evra produced a teasing cross, which allowed the England striker to shoot on goal, although the ball crept just too wide to the left of the post.
Robin van Persie was next to try his luck just before the half-hour mark when he got onto the end of a headed pass from Phil Jones, but his effort was blocked on its way to goal.
In a half of few chances, Stoke tried their luck nearing the break as Erik Pieters let fly with an effort that flew high and wide of David de Gea's goal.
United found themselves a goal behind in the 38th minute when Adam lashed in a delivery towards goal, which perhaps took a slight deflection off of Michael Carrick to elude De Gea and give the hosts the lead.
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The Reds were dealt a further blow before half time as Jones was stretchered off after a heavy fall, with Carrick having to shuffle into defence as a replacement centre-back.
However, Van Persie pulled the visitors level after the interval when he latched onto Juan Mata's through-ball before tucking his finish into the bottom corner.
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Parity didn't last too long, though, as Adam restored Stoke's lead with an outstanding individual effort, which saw the midfielder nail a long range effort into the top corner.
Peter Crouch could have extended the hosts' lead, but he was only able to head straight at De Gea with the goal gaping in front of him, while Tom Cleverley wasted a perfect opportunity to equalise in the closing stages as he sent his shot over following a scramble inside the box.
Christopher Dodd
