A first half header by Peter Crouch gave Stoke City a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Britannia on Monday, in a Premier League match that saw both sides hit the woodwork in the second half.
The result leaves Newcastle still without a win after six league matches this season to lie second from bottom with just three points, only ahead of Burnley by virtue of goals scored, further increasing pressure on manager Alan Pardew.
Following a modest to the match by both sides, it was Stoke that went in front after 14 minutes through lanky English striker Peter Crouch who headed in an inch-perfect cross from Nigerian international Victor Moses past a static Tim Krul.
Newcastle’s best chance to equalise in the first half came a minute to half-time through Daryl Janmaat who saw his long range strike saved by Asmir Begovic.
A low shot from substitute Marko Arnautovic beat Krul but crashed off the post three minutes into the second half while Moses was denied by the Newcastle goalkeeper from close range just past the hour mark as Stoke threatened but failed to double its lead.
Newcastle gradually got back into the game and, after seeing a penalty appeal waved aside, came close to stealing a share of the spoils six minutes to the end only for Jack Colback’s effort off Gabriel Obertan’s cross to come off the Stoke woodwork.