The incredible record of Stoke City...

What is the secret of their success? Is it the crowd? Is it the tactics? Do the big teams have a fear factor upon arrival at the Britannia?

Whatever it is, we suggest Stoke City do not change what they are doing, and simply carry on, because last season's top four just can't get the better of them.

Manchester City were the last team to fail to get a result at the Potteries this weekend, being held 1-1 for a third successive season.

Arsenal have failed to win there too this campaign, drawing 0-0, and it adds to an impressive set of results for Stoke.

Here's a look at their record;

15/9/12 Stoke 1-1 Manchester City, 26/8/12 Stoke 0-0 Arsenal,  28/4/12 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal, 24/3/12 Stoke 1-1 Manchester City, 11/12/11 Stoke 2-1 Tottenham, 24/9/11 Stoke 1-1 Manchester United, 8/5/11 Stoke 3-1 Arsenal, 27/11/10 Stoke 1-1 Manchester City.

The last time they were beaten at the Britannia by one of last season's top four was on October 24 2010, when a Javier Hernandez brace sealed a 2-1 win for Manchester United, in a match also memorable for the fact the visitors should have had Gary Neville sent off.

The highest ranked team to beat them at the Britannia recently was Newcastle, who finished fifth last season and won 3-1 thanks to a Demba Ba hat-trick, while they drew with sixth placed finishers Chelsea and also had their now customary home win over Liverpool.

But it's not all good news, they lost 4-3 to Swindon in the League Cup at home last month. Perhaps Paolo di Canio could give Roberto Mancini a few pointers...

image: © Vincent Teeuwen