Stoke City 1-0 Newcastle United

Stoke matchwinnr Xherdan Shaqiri — Shaqiri won the match for Stoke with only his third goal of the season

Newcastle United remain in the Premier League relegation zone after Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri's late strike lifted Stoke City up to seventh.

Stoke dominated most of the game, but neither side failed to create clear chances in a low-key first half.

Newcastle improved after the break but went behind when Shaqiri's 20-yard strike flew in past Rob Elliot.

Jack Butland superbly saved substitute Seydou Doumbia's injury-time header as Stoke clinched a third straight win.

And, seconds after Doumbia almost levelled, the Potters hit the crossbar through Marko Arnautovic's stinging shot.

Read how Stoke nicked a late winner

How tough is a cold night at Stoke?

More misery for travelling Toon Army

Newcastle, who had not played since the 5-1 hammering at Chelsea 18 days ago, knew that a point would move them out of the bottom three at the expense of Sunderland and Norwich.

But the Magpies arrived at a cold, wet and windswept Britannia Stadium having scored just seven away goals this season - the lowest total in the entire English league.

That miserable statistic did not look like improving, with the visitors - despite a resolute defensive display - barely stretching Potters keeper Butland throughout.

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren — Steve McClaren has described his Newcastle side as frustrating to manage

However, the England keeper - who denied Newcastle victory in October's reverse fixture - remained alert to come to Stoke's rescue in the dying moments.

"I'm glad we don't have to play against Jack Butland every week," said McClaren, whose side suffered a 15th league defeat of the season.

"He denied us victory at St James' Park and tonight he denied us a point I think we deserved. It's cruel that we lost."

Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer on Match of the Day:
"I don't agree with what Steve McClaren says, Jack Butland had one good save to make.
"Newcastle have scored seven away from home all season which is why they are in trouble. It's unbelievable.
"Rob Elliot has been Newcastle's best player all season but he should do better.
"Newcastle have to win their home game against Bournemouth on Saturday. Have to."

Enter Shaqiri

Stoke dominated possession and territory throughout, but were unable to break down a compact Newcastle side who defended deep in a bid to stifle their hosts.

The Potters' supporters were becoming increasingly frustrated until Shaqiri scored with his side's first shot on target of the second half.

The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan winger ran onto Mame Biram Diouf's lay-off to blast an unstoppable past an off-guard Elliot.

"It was a great goal to win the game," said Potters manager Mark Hughes afterwards. "It had great power, was a great strike and the keeper didn't see it."

Stoke v Newcastle — Newcastle, as shown by their average position graphic on the right, defended much deeper than Stoke in the first half. The Magpies were trying to stop a rotten run of conceding 10 goals in their previous three away matches.

Man of the match - Xherdan Shaqiri

Stoke matchwinner Xherdan Shaqiri — Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri was Stoke's biggest threat throughout, having a game-high two shots on target before netting the winner

Manager reaction

Stoke manager Mark Hughes:

"They were difficult conditions today. The first half went against us, but I thought we were excellent in getting hold of the ball and probing crosses. The negative was not getting on the end of them.

"Second half, with the wind, we thought it would be an advantage but it didn't turn out that way.

"We kept going and Newcastle didn't have too many opportunities."

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren:

"I couldn't fault the players. We were organised, hard to beat, compact and we frustrated Stoke. They had one shot in the second half and scored.

"If we continue that hard work then we'll get what we deserve.

"It's difficult to stomach but you have to. Saturday at home against Bournemouth is a big game - we've got 11 games left and need a certain amount of victories. With the talent we've got, we're confident we can do it."

Stats of the day

The past five Premier League meetings between Stoke and Newcastle have seen just five goals scored, with three of the games being 1-0 home wins for the Potters.
Stoke have now won five of their past six Premier League home games against Newcastle, losing the other.
Newcastle have lost 17 of their past 21 Premier League away games, including their past six.
Only Aston Villa (6) have won fewer points away from home in the Premier League this season than Newcastle (7).
Stoke substitute Peter Crouch made his 400th Premier League appearance.

What's next?

Newcastle face another important game in their battle against relegation, hosting 15th-placed Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Meanwhile, Stoke go to 10th-placed Chelsea, who are three points behind the Potters, at the same time.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Stoke

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Butland
2BardsleySubstituted forMuniesaat 26'minutesBooked at 45mins
20Cameron
26Wollscheid
3Pieters
21Imbula
6Whelan
22Shaqiri
14AfellaySubstituted forDioufat 70'minutes
10Arnautovic
19WaltersSubstituted forCrouchat 69'minutes

Substitutes

5Muniesa
7Ireland
11Joselu
18Diouf
25Crouch
27Bojan
29Haugaard

Newcastle

Formation 4-2-3-1

21Elliot
22Janmaat
27Taylor
15Lascelles
3Dummett
12Shelvey
4ColbackSubstituted forDoumbiaat 84'minutes
7Sissoko
5Wijnaldum
11GouffranSubstituted forRiviereat 74'minutes
45MitrovicSubstituted forPérezat 84'minutes

Substitutes

16Aarons
17Pérez
23Saivet
26Darlow
28Doumbia
29Riviere
42Sterry

Referee:: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance:: 27,331

Match Stats

Home TeamStokeAway TeamNewcastle

Possession: Home55%; Away45%

Shots: Home9; Away5

Shots on Target: Home2; Away3

Corners: Home5; Away1

Fouls: Home11; Away6

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Stoke City 1, Newcastle United 0.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Newcastle United 0.

90'+5'
Post update
Marko Arnautovic (Stoke City) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Giannelli Imbula.
90'+3'
Post update
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Marc Muniesa.
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt saved. Seydou Doumbia (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jonjo Shelvey with a cross.
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt missed. Emmanuel Rivière (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.
90'
Post update
Attempt missed. Giannelli Imbula (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri.
88'
Post update
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Erik Pieters.
87'
Post update
Attempt missed. Glenn Whelan (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
87'
Post update
Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Jamaal Lascelles.
87'
Post update
Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Steven Taylor.
86'
Post update
Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Steven Taylor.
86'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Giannelli Imbula.
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Ayoze Pérez replaces Aleksandar Mitrovic.
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Seydou Doumbia replaces Jack Colback.
80'
Goal!
Goal! Stoke City 1, Newcastle United 0. Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Mame Biram Diouf.
78'
Post update
Foul by Marc Muniesa (Stoke City).
78'
Post update
Emmanuel Rivière (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
76'
Post update
Foul by Geoff Cameron (Stoke City).
76'
Post update
Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

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