Stoke City 0 Millwall 0

Last updated : 27 August 2003 By Rob Stanway

The Potters have enjoyed a complete contrast from last season with Tony Pulis keeping his side unbeaten so far but with Millwall also flying high early doors, a showdown at the Britannia Stadium proved very interesting.

City looked lively early on, and with their variation of long balls and quick passing they looked candidates for first blood. As nine minutes passed, Carl Asaba's run inside provided Gifton Noel-Williams with a left-footed chance from six yards but Tony Warner got down well to rescue the Lions.

It took a while for another opportunity to arise but it was City again just before the 30 minute mark when Chris Greenacre's deflected shot gave John Eustace a corner with which he picked out Noel-Williams at the front post but he could only blast past the keeper's upright.

Millwall's only reasonable effort of the half came just before the break when Noel Whelan chipped in a lofted pass to pick out giant striker Bob Peeters who did well to get enough power into his header to force a good save out of Ed de Goey to his left.

Pulis must have been left scratching his head when on 51 minutes, Noel-Williams split the Millwall defence to put Asaba clean through, but Warner performed more heroics with a great stop at ten yards.

Millwall seemed to pull their act together later on and could have dug something out if it wasn't for the strong back line of the Potters.

However the attention switched to the dugouts when Pulis joined Sir Alex Ferguson on Jeff Winter's hit-list after strong words were exchanged on the touchline with Mark McGhee, and referee Winter sent Stoke's manager into the stand.

Millwall manager Mark McGhee said: "I thought we both could have won. It was a fair result and I was satisfied with how we played.

"Me and Tony had a bit of handbags but I'll apologise as I am sure he will as well. We both just got a bit excited."