Stoke's Charlie Adam, centre, celebrates with teammates and manager Mark Hughes, left, after scoring his second goal against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke, England, Saturday Feb. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
February 01, 2014 - 9:18 AM
MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United slumped to a 2-1 loss at Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday to puncture the optimism generated by Juan Mata's arrival and leave the reigning champions with a huge task to finish in the Champions League positions.
United's eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
Charlie Adam scored both of Stoke's goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persie's equalizer, with a miserable day for United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off.
Everton beat Aston Villa 2-1 to climb to fifth above Tottenham, which drew 1-1 at Hull.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014