A tale of two penalties one missed, one scored meant both Stoke City and Crystal Palace started the opening week of the Premier League with one-nil losses. Stoke were so close to a good point away at Anfield but Simon Mignolet saved Jonathan Walters' penalty, while Palace held out Champions League chasing Tottenham for most of the game and showed enough to inspire belief in the Palace faithful that this season will not be about thrashings and preparing for a better future. For new manager Mark Hughes, the visit of one of the promoted sides presents a golden chance to pick up his first Stoke win. For Ian Holloway, a trip to the Potteries offers potential to pick up a very creditable draw, and a win would really shake up some of the pundits who have, to a man, consigned the Eagles to relegation already. The match might not be one for the purists, but it is sure to be an intriguing tussle. Here are five key battles.
