Man City 3 Stoke 0

Every Stoke City fan knew that this year would be tough. But how tough? Today's 3-0 loss to Manchester City just goes to reinforce just how hard it will be for Stoke City to stay in the Premier League, let alone challenge for the title.

Admittedly, Man City is the richest club in the world after Abu Dhabi United Group paid a reported £200 million to take the controlling share in the club.

With the signing of Robinho it's not a shock that teams like Stoke would suffer, although it would appear that that club were taken apart after the half-time break. The club had managed to stay level throughout the first half, only to succumb to a end-of-half goal just as the manager Tony Pulis might be thinking his squad had made it with a clean sheet.