Tempers flare as Stoke battle to draw

Stoke once again showed their battling qualities after earning a 0-0 draw against Wigan in an uninspring Premier League encounter at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger launched a furious tirade against Stoke's players on Tuesday following their victory in a physical encounter last Saturday.

City manager Tony Pulis defended his team's approach and will be delighted with the way his team picked up a vital point on the road.

Wigan's dismal form at the JJB continues. They have the worst home record in the league and both teams' fragile confidence was exposed in an encounter low on quality.

As ever City's main threat came from the missile-like throws from full-back Rory Delap, but former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland's tactic of coming to punch the ball appeared to cancel out the threat.

Much of Wenger's ire was directed at Potters defender Ryan Shawcross and he did little to enhance his reputation after a ninth-minute hack brought down England forward Emile Heskey.

The home team's first meaningful effort came after 17 minutes when a poor defensive header from City defender Abdoulaye Faye caused panic in the penalty area but midfielder Wilson Palacios could only muster a weak shot wide of the goal.

The fans had to wait half an hour for the first effort on target from either team but Antonio Valencia's weak 30-yard effort was never going to trouble Thomas Sorensen in the away goal.

The best effort of the game came in the second half when former Liverpool forward Heskey dived to meet Valencia's cross but his bullet header went narrowly wide of the post.

Wigan were turning the screw and came close twice through Henri Camara and once through Palacios but Danish stopper Sorensen saved well to atone for an error which had led to the spell of pressure.

Form Wigan striker Amr Zaki had a great chance but ballooned his header over the bar when in a goalscoring position.

The Latics piled on the pressure but Stoke's concentration held firm, although there was an unsavoury bust-up between teammates Shawcross and Amdy Faye after a defensive mix-up.