Stoke suffered only their second home defeat of the season as Jack Collison's strike in first-half injury time game West Ham a 1-0 win this afternoon.
City were hoping to make a rapid recovery from last week's 1-0 defeat at Fulham, but that never looked likely as they turned in an unimpressive display to stretch their recent form to one win in nine league games, home and away.
The Hammers were the better side in the first half and should have been 2-0 up by the time Stoke rallied in the final 20 minutes.
Stoke repeatedly pumped the ball into the area in those final stages, but the Hammers held firm with James Collins outstanding at the heart of their defence.
That ensured a frustrating afternoon for Stoke who were booed off by a section of their fans both at half time and on the final whistle.
Marc Wilson was switched to central defence alongside Ryan Shawcross as Andy Wilkinson came into the side at left back.
Michael Kightly and Jon Walters were used on the wings, outside a central midfield of Steven Nzonzi and Glenn Whelan, while Cameron Jerome was given a rare start up front, alongside Peter Crouch.
Stoke spurned an early chance when Kightly found himself in plenty of space on the left side of the area from a short corner. He seemed to hesitate between shooting and crossing, and drilled the ball high and wide.
Joey O'Brien was fortunate to escape a booking for a late challenge on Jon Walters before West Ham were forced into an early change when Peter Crouch kicked Matt Taylor in the head while attempting an overhead kick.
Taylor looked groggy after treatment and was replaced by Collison. That was part of a double early blow for the Hammers because Joe Cole had to be replaced by Ricardo Vaz Te after appearing to strain his hamstring.
Jerome's flick on dropped to Crouch, but he mis-hit his volley too close to Jussi Jaaskelainen as the Potters struggled to seize the initiative.
West Ham came closer when James Collins connected with Gary O'Neil's cross, but his header flicked off the top of the bar.
Collison's 18-yard volley was directed too close to Begovic, but West Ham were looking a danger against Stoke's reshuffled defence.
Carroll should have done better than head well wide from 12 yards, before Stoke briefly threatened when Kightly drilled a volley wide from 20 yards.
But Stoke fell behind in first half injury time when Ricardo Vaz Te played a reverse ball into the area where Collison had lost his marker with a clever run.
Stoke threatened on 48 minutes when Crouch sent a downward header across goal. Jerome went down after a challenge from O'Brien to prompt furious penalty appeals, but replays showed the West Ham defender got the ball.
Matt Jarvis should have put the Hammers 2-0 up when he broke free on the left of the area, but his low strike was blocked by Begovic at his near post.
Charlie Adam came on for Glenn Whelan, but the Hammers looked the most likely to score as they hit Stoke on the break. Collison freed Vaz Te in the area, but he delayed his shot too long before he was crowded out.
Stoke were hurling the ball into the West Ham area, with a strike-force of Jones and Crouch in the centre, Jerome on the right and Shea on the left.
But West Ham repelled everything Stoke could throw at them and Wilson fired well over from 30 yards as City became increasingly desperate.
City had strong claims for a penalty when a loose ball struck Guy Demel on the hand just inside the area. However, referee Jonathan Moss and his assistants either didn't spot it or decided it wasn't intentional as Stoke's final chance disappeared.
STOKE: Begovic, Shotton, Shawcross, Wilson, Wilkinson, Walters (Jones, 74), Whelan (Adam, 76), Nzonzi, Kightly (Shea, 67), Jerome, Crouch.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien, J Cole (Vaz Te, 11), O'Neil, Diame, Taylor (Collison, 9), Jarvis (Pogatetz, 83), Carroll.
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