Falcao rescues point for United at Stoke

Manchester United lost further momentum in the Premier League title race after drawing 1-1 with Stoke City at a windy Britannia Stadium on New Year's Day.

Radamel Falcao equalized for the visitors after former United trainee Ryan Shawcross had scored the first Premier League goal of 2015 in the second minute, but it was a third draw in four games for Louis van Gaal's side.

United, which lost Ashley Young to an apparent hamstring injury, remains third, but could fall 12 points behind leader Chelsea and nine points behind Manchester City if the top two win their games later yesterday.

City entertains Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium, while Chelsea visits Tottenham Hotspur in the late kick-off.

Stoke caught United cold by taking the lead inside second minutes, with Shawcross volleying into the net from close range after Peter Crouch had helped on a corner. Mame Biram Diouf, another United old boy, then spurned a glorious chance to extend Stoke's lead when he bundled his way past Jonny Evans, only to curl wide with his left foot.

Falcao equalized in the 26th minute, hooking home left-footed at the back post after Wayne Rooney's corner had been flicked on by Michael Carrick to register the third goal of his loan spell from Monaco. Amid difficult, blustery conditions, both sides had chances to win the game, with Robin van Persie volleying narrowly wide for United and Crouch glancing a header against the post for Stoke.

Stoke also felt that it should have been awarded a penalty when a shot from Crouch struck Chris Smalling on the arm.

Elsewhere yesterday, a place in the top four will be at stake at St Mary's, where fourth-place Southampton entertains fifth-place Arsenal.

Managerless Crystal Palace visits Aston Villa, while Newcastle United, whose manager, Alan Pardew, will be absent after being given permission to speak to Palace about succeeding the sacked Neil Warnock, hosts Burnley.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion named former Stoke City and Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis as its head coach, tasking the 56-year-old with the club's Premier League survival.

Pulis has agreed a 2-1/2 year contract with the Baggies, the club said in a statement, replacing Alan Irvine who was sacked on Monday following a run of seven defeats in nine games.

Pulis has never suffered relegation as a manager and his appointment as the club's fourth head coach in a year was announced with West Brom languishing 16th in the 20-team standings, one point above the relegation zone.

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