When footballers surrender the habit of doing even the basics right, you know a team is in trouble. By that rationale, Newcastle United and manager Alan Pardew would appear to be in very deep trouble indeed. This was not a performance to place alongside the capitulation at Southampton just over a fortnight ago. It may be a while before we see the like of that again. At times last night Newcastle kept the ball and spent time in Stoke City’s half. They created half-chances. Right at the death, they could even have equalised. How Jack Colback lifted the ball on to the crossbar from only six yards perhaps even he doesn’t know.
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Pressure on Newcastle manager Alan Pardew cranked up after his side were beaten at Britannia Stadium
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Ahead of the match Magpies owner Mike Ashley - who the club insist was joking with the comment - said Pardew would be 'finished' if it ended in defeat
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Peter Crouch headed in the winner from a cross by the lively Victor Moses in the 15th minute
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Stoke should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Yoan Gouffran bundled over Moses
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Jack Colback missed great chance to grab later equaliser when the ball dropped to him right in front of goal, but he could only fire it against the bar
It happened because @placeholder made weak challenges and showed a lack of commitment in the air.