After the horror-show on Wearside, Newcastle were back looking for home comforts against Stoke City.
The match almost got off to the perfect start, Mitrovic with his first attempt, unfortunately, Jack Butland stood between him and a sure-fire goal. A theme which would persist as the match wore on.
Most of the play was down the middle, trying to break Stoke down. Perez and Mitrovic combining well and it was only a matter of time before a goal.
However, Stoke played themselves back into the match with Walters almost scoring against the run of play.
On 27 minutes, Newcastle looked like they had broken the deadlock. Sissoko with a floated ball, Mitrovic flicked, only for it to come agonizingly off the inside of the post.
The remainder of the 1st half was stretched, both sides having the ball, forcing, pushing but to no avail and eventually the game petered out to an inevitable 0-0.
2nd Half, the half started like the first ended, fast, frenetic, a little too stretched with both teams forcing each other into errors.
Perez had a chance which was just wide, bending away from goal. At the other end, Walters saw a headed saved by Elliot, his rebound ballooning over the bar.
On 55 minutes, after a run by Sissoko, he saw his shot again saved by Butland and from the resulting corner Mbemba headed just wide.
Stoke were strong defensively and when they broke, they did have opportunities. When Newcastle countered, Stoke were back defending deep in numbers, not allowing Newcastle space to pick a pass.
One incident of note that I didn’t like to see was Mitrovic throwing himself on the floor after a chest push from Wollscheid. In the end, both players were rightly booked.
After that, the match became very cagey with little fouls by both teams as each side could sense the other’s nervousness as the clock ticked down.
On 68 minutes, De Jong came on for Tiote and then the game got really stretched. Without the extra holding midfielder, Stoke started to overrun Newcastle in midfield, finding space – but never the killer pass.
Glen Johnson did break free, but only to find Anita in his way. The last 15 minutes were frustrating for both teams, each with chances but never the composure or assurance to put them away.
After Tiote left the field, Newcastle lost their shape and everything became a little forced. On 83 minutes, Lascelles came on for Janmaat with Mbemba moving to right back.
A minute later, Sissoko almost made the breakthrough. A run into the box, shifting the ball onto his right and letting fly a fierce shot, only for it to be turned over the bar by Butland.
The resulting corner came to nothing, but Newcastle kept pressing and they did force a corner which created a chance. Lascelles rose and aimed a powerful header at goal, only for that man, yes, Butland to tip it over. The resulting corner came to nothing.
All in all, I think Newcastle were the better team, certainly creating the better chances, but they lacked the composure to breakdown a very strong Stoke defence.
Also coupled with the fact that when they did, Jack Butland was on hand to play a vital role.
1 point gained, a frustrating afternoon and the wait for another 3 points goes on.
