Newcastle grab crucial win to deepen Stoke City woes

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:36 am

The pressure on Stoke boss Mark Hughes increased as a second-half strike by Ayoze Perez gave Newcastle a 1-0 New Year's Day victory at the bet365 Stadium.

Perez scored in the 73rd minute to earn the Magpies -- whose goalkeeper Karl Darlow made two superb late saves to deny Mame Diouf -- a victory that takes them above Stoke in the Premier League table.

Newcastle's second win in 13 matches moves them up three places to 13th, and they are now four points clear of the relegation zone.

Stoke, who have won only two in 12, drop one place to 16th and remain two points clear of the drop zone.

Cries of "you're being sacked in the morning" were directed at Hughes after the goal, and there were boos from Stoke fans at the final whistle, when a "Hughes Out" banner was on display.