Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We didn't deserve any more than a draw. They were closer to a winning goal than us. We have seen how difficult it is to defend long balls, both here and in the home game against Stoke.

"We had time and space to build play, but we didn't create much.

"Stoke also had to deal with the wind, but they are used to that. They played long balls a little easier. We had the space and time to play football. The wind was not too heavy. We should have played better today."

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Final Score

On Frank Lampard staying at Manchester City:

"I think Chelsea won't be too happy with Frank Lampard staying. All of a sudden he is having a massive say for Man City - scoring goals. He has probably made it clear that he wants to stay, with a realistic chance of winning the Premier League title.

"With Yaya Toure heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations, who better to replace a goal-scoring midfielder?"

The skies have opened at the Etihad, where stewards are busy giving out ponchos to patrons. It's never a good look, but it's better than getting wet. That Mancunian rain soaks you through in no time.

Just five minutes to go until kick-off in eight Premier League games around the land. The weather looks universally grim and gloomy out there. Wrap up warm everyone.

Here come the players...

As the man who signed Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey to play together, Neil Lennon gets my vote as a transfer guru...

Bolton manager Neil Lennon
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

"Tony Pulis is watching from the stand today, and I suspect that's because he wants to get a good view of things. He'll have watched West Brom on numerous occasions anyway this season, so he'll know who he wants to bring in, because they do need a little confidence.

"When you come in at a club, as I did at Bolton, you need to give the players confidence and get them on your side as quickly as possible. You hope to create uncertainty among your rivals, but you can only do that by winning games."

Liverpool have scored more goals in their past three games (seven) than they had in the previous eight combined (six).

Are the Reds back on form?

There's no action in the Football League as clubs prepare for one of the most exciting events of the football calendar - FA Cup third round weekend. But there is a busy programme in the Conference where leaders Barnet will be looking to extend their seven-point lead with victory at home to Aldershot. However, second-placed Bristol Rovers can cut Barnet's lead to four points if they win at home to Torquay United and the leaders lose. Third-placed Macclesfield are at fourth-placed Grimsby Town, while there is a huge game at the other end of the table as bottom club Telford entertain next-to-bottom Nuneaton.

Conference programme (all 15:00 GMT kick-offs): Telford v Nuneaton, Alfreton v Lincoln City, Altrincham v Chester, Barnet v Aldershot, Braintree v Dartford, Bristol Rovers v Torquay, Grimsby v Macclesfield, Kidderminster v Forest Green, Welling v Dover, Woking v Eastleigh.

Bolton manager Neil Lennon
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"Whenever Gus Poyet needs a result, he seems to dig one out. He'll pack his midfield and try to hit City on the break. They did that very well in the derby against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.

"City missed a trick being 2-0 up at home to Burnley. They do tend to go through the gears and then switch off. I do think Chelsea are the stronger team mentally and have a better defensive four. But it's going to be a great run-in at the top of the Premier League."

Surely, after Burnley on Sunday, Manchester City won't slip up again? Don't rule it out, according to Neil Lennon.

Image source, @PhilCParry

BBC London 94.9 commentator Phil Parry has tweeted his remarkably detailed notes as he prepares to describe Crystal Palace's match at Aston Villa. It's the little kit doodles at the top of the page that make them special, Phil. You put us to shame with our scrawled nonsense.

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Final Score

"The problem with Alan Pardew is that there was an undercurrent around from the Newcastle supporters that they were not happy. Overall he might have felt it is a fresh opportunity to go somewhere he is wanted in Crystal Palace. He is leaving a massive club but perhaps he felt he had no backing."

Right then, we've got eyes on Alan Pardew at Villa Park. There's a picture doing the rounds on the internet of the Palace manager-elect enjoying some pre-match hospitality. The 53-year-old is wearing his finest designer glasses. First impressions and all that.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, speaking to Sky Sports: "I said to Mame Diouf is it like this every week [with the wind] and he said it is. It was scrappy, but that was the challenge for us - to get the ball down and play. It kept holding up in the wind and you had to break your stride sometimes to let it drop.

"You have to dig in, we gave away too many free-kicks in the second half. It is a bit of a blow having to defend corners and free-kicks but we did it well.

Is a point a fair result? "Given the way we played, I thought Stoke put us under a lot of pressure and we probably did not play to our usual standard."

Southampton can finish above Arsenal says manager Ronald Koeman - is he right?

Ollie Warren: Not a chance. Arsenal with Walcott, Ozil etc.... to return will only get stronger. Southampton will run out of steam and will be lucky to finish above Spurs and Liverpool.

Chris Goodman: Why not? He makes a valid point regarding the Champions League. Arsenal are an incomplete picture, it is they who will fade away, not necessarily Saints. Two more signings in January and Saints will be stronger and more dangerous.

Ruth Mursell: Yes and why not? Ron is a great manager who believes in his team, people just don't like the fact that we are messing up the usual top four in the table! We have done so well this season and I think we will still be in the mix come May too.

Don't be fooled by his wilting Dutch accent and his always accommodating smile - there is some fighting talk from Saints boss Ronald Koeman this morning ahead of his game with Arsenal. He wants a top-four spot. And no mistake.

"I believe still that we can fight for a top place in the league," he said.

"The Premier League really is a strong competition and Arsenal have to play Champions League again after February or March.

"That means a lot of games for them and it is a challenge to keep the physical freshness in the competition. Maybe we will come and surprise people."

Stoke striker Peter Crouch, speaking to Sky Sports: "We had chances, we hit the post. We would have liked to win but maybe a draw was fair. I won the header cleanly [for the penalty shout], it was on target and I think Chris Smalling had his hands up, for me it was a penalty but I would like to see it again.

"The conditions today meant it was back to the old school days. We used them well and that is a string to our bow. We are always good at set pieces."

Potters defender Ryan Shawcross: "The conditions are hard, it is not enjoyable because we want to get the ball down and play football. We probably dealt with the conditions better.

"To get seven points from nine over Christmas is brilliant. The aim now is to kick on."

Simon O'Reilly:, external More points dropped by Manchester United against average clubs. Louis van Gaal is simply out of his depth. Tactically clueless.

Charles Kahanji:, external If you are to challenge for title, the games against Stoke are sort of games you need to win. This is a disappointing result.

Maxim Calver:, external Man Utd needed to keep the ball on the floor, that's where the advantage lies against a strong tall Stoke team.

Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

"Stoke will be disappointed in the result as they had clear-cut chances. Mame Diouf had the best chance when Stoke were 1-0 up. United got on top in the second half but Stoke had a penalty denied when the ball hit Chris Smalling's hand.

"The disappointment for United is that over the last three away games they have not been clinical enough. They have had all the possession, but sometimes I would like them to be a bit more direct rather than take the extra pass.

"Both teams went for victory in horrendous conditions. I think a draw was a fair result in the end."

Image source, @sunderlandafc

Surprise, surprise. It's a damp start to 2015 in Manchester. Actually, it's lashing down with rain at the Etihad Stadium. But Sunderland's travelling army of fans are in good voice ahead of their team's game with Manchester City. Can the Premier League's draw specialists throw another spanner in City's title charge after Burnley's 2-2 draw at the Etihad on 28 December?