EPL: Stoke beat Manchester City 1-0

London:

James Beattie headed the winning goal on Saturday to give 10-man Stoke a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League to ease his team's relegation worries and leave the visitors in danger of falling back into trouble.

Beattie headed home a left-wing cross by Matthew Etherington in first-half injury time after Stoke left back Rory Delap was sent off in the 37th minute.

Stoke, which started the day next-to-last in the standings, now has 24 points from 24 games. Man City's 11th defeat of the season means that Mark Hughes' erratic, mid-standings team has 28 points from 23.

Delap was sent off for his reaction to an ugly sliding challenge by Man City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on Etherington. After the free kick had been given, Delap chased after the winger, fouled him and then kicked the stationary ball against the winger as he lay on the turf. Wright-Phillips retaliated by kicking back at Delap but, to the fury of the Stoke players and fans, was not punished.

The goal came in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time caused by a head injury to Amdy Faye. The Stoke defender was out cold for two minutes and needed lengthy treatment before he could continue.

Defending champion Manchester United kicked off later Saturday hoping to extend its lead by beating Everton at home.

Saturday's other games were: Arsenal-West Ham, Aston Villa-Wigan, Bolton-Tottenham, Fulham-Portsmouth, Hull-West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough-Blackburn. On Sunday, Liverpool hosts Chelsea and Newcastle welcomes Sunderland.