Newcastle took a big step out of the relegation battle after hitting back to beat Stoke City 2-1 after falling behind.
Newcastle United vs. Stoke: Final score 2-1, Magpies strike back to sink Potters
Papiss Cisse got a late winner as Newcastle came from behind to beat Stoke City and take a step clear of the relegation battle.
Stu Forster
Newcastle were on top in the opening period, although Stoke felt they ought to have had a penalty when Ryan Shotton was kicked by Davide Santon - the foul appeared to be clear, but it was contentious as to whether it was in the area or not. Regardless, the referee waved play on, much to the visitors' consternation.
Newcastle almost took the lead afterwards when Yohan Cabaye played a delightful ball over the top of a static Stoke defence for Yoann Gouffran, but the Frenchman couldn't quite bring the ball under his spell and ended up lashing his effort over the bar.
Cabaye continued to look Newcastle's biggest threat both with his creativity and direct shooting, and he went close with a long-range effort just before the break that skidded wide after taking a deflection, although the half ended with neither side ultimately having a great chance to score.
Moussa Sissoko, who has shown how dangerous he can be since signing for the Magpies, ought to have put Newcastle ahead after the break after Asmir Begovic made an ill-thought-out dash out of his goal to close the Frenchman down, but the midfielder's shot could only find the side netting.
With Newcastle looking likely to find a way through, their hard work was undone by a silly challenge from Cheik Tiote, who clattered through Jon Walters in the area. The Irishman made no mistake in scoring himself from the spot, and against the run of play, the Potters had the lead.
Perhaps predictably, conceding gave Newcastle the jolt they required, and the equaliser was not long in coming. The source was even more predictable, although the manner was exquisite, Cabaye smashing a wonderful free-kick into the net via the crossbar.
Despite a comeback looking on the cards, Stoke were also steeled by conceding, and Newcastle struggled to force many more opportunities. However, in injury time, Papiss Cisse found a remarkable winner after a fantastic pass from Slvain Marveaux, the Senegalese hitman keeping his composure to smash the winner past Asmir Begovic and give his side a big victory.
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