Burnley's failure to deal with an early aerial bombardment proved costly on their top-flight return at Stoke.

A Ryan Shawcross header followed by an own goal, as Stephen Jordan turned a Rory Delap throw into his own net, condemned the promoted side to defeat in their Barclays Premier League opener.

The Clarets settled and produced some flowing football in the second half at the Britannia Stadium but Stoke almost had a third goal when substitute Dave Kitson hit the post.

Despite the defeat, it was still a promising return to the top division for 1960 champions Burnley after a 33-year absence.

Manager Owen Coyle fielded nine of the side that started the Championship play-off final in May, with summer signings Tyrone Mears and Steven Fletcher the only new faces.

The Clarets had the first chance of the game after Wembley hero Wade Elliott drilled in a low cross from the right but Robbie Blake's shot was blocked by Andy Wilkinson.

Stoke's first effort on goal was fired well over by Delap but the Irishman was a far greater threat with his tradema throw-ins.

The midfielder gave Burnley an early test from the right but Mears headed clear.

Blake then had a shot comfortably saved by Thomas Sorensen but Stoke took charge of the game in the 19th minute after Ricardo Fuller was fouled on the left by Elliott.

Liam Lawrence swung in the resulting free-kick and Shawcross rose unmarked at the far post to head past Brian Jensen.

Martin Paterson reached the byline as Burnley responded but his cross was put behind for a corner and their short routine from the set-piece did not worry the hosts.

Elliott also tested the Stoke defence as Burnley enjoyed a good spell but his cross was cut out and Potters debutant Dean Whitehead broke up another move inside the box.

After a quiet period, Stoke burst back into life as Matthew Etherington broke clear and Clarke Carlisle cut out his effort at the cost of a throw-in.

That proved costly as Delap launched a familiar long delivery from the left and the ball was diverted in by the unfortunate Jordan after 33 minutes.

A corner from Lawrence then caused further uncertainty in the Burnley box and the ball was put behind uncertainly by Mears.

Blake fired a free-kick over for Burnley, who later appealed for a penalty after Wilkinson appeared to handle in conceding a corner but referee Steve Bennett was not interested.

Stoke almost had a third goal before the interval but the ball was cleared off the line by Mears after Fuller caught Jensen off his line by meeting a Lawrence free-kick with a looping header.

Elliott had the first effort of the second half with a fierce long-range shot that dipped just over the bar.

At the other end James Beattie met a cross from Etherington on the volley but his effort went just wide.

Burnley's best opportunities started to come just before the hour as Graham Alexander crossed low into the box from a free-kick.

Blake had a clean shot blocked and Chris McCann then fired at a defender in a crowded penalty area.

Burnley continued to show spirit and Blake forced Sorensen to save with a low shot from a free-kick.

Fletcher then found good space on the left but Sorensen tipped his fierce drive around the post for a corner.

Burnley's good work was almost undone as Jordan felled Beattie on the edge of the area but the former Everton and Southampton striker put his free-kick over.

Sorensen then failed to collect two crosses as Burnley applied further pressure, before Kitson almost scored.

Kitson was an immediate threat after replacing Beattie and was unfortunate to see a powerful shot rebound off the post after turning Jordan in the area.

Teams:

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Delap, Whitehead, Etherington (Whelan 76), Beattie (Kitson 67), Fuller (Cresswell 87).

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Pugh.

Booked: Abdoulaye Faye.

Goals: Shawcross 19, Jordan 33 og.

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Jordan, Kalvenes, Alexander (Thompson 82), Paterson (Eagles 72), Elliott, McCann, Blake (Guerrero 72), Steven Fletcher.

Subs Not Used: Penny, McDonald, Gudjonsson, Eckersley.

Booked: Alexander, Jordan.

Att: 27,385

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).