Stoke City condemned Newcastle United to a fourth straight defeat with a 1-0 win in the Premier League this afternoon.
Erik Pieters's 42nd-minute strike was enough for the home side, who are 10th in the table following the victory.
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Stoke went close inside the first 10 minutes when Peter Crouch struck the post after rising highest from Marko Arnautovic's cross.
Newcastle hit back immediately, and Shola Ameobi knocked down Vurnon Anita's cross but Dan Gosling could only fire over the bar when well placed.
The visitors had a decent shout for a penalty waved away when Papiss Cisse went down under a challenge from Geoff Cameron on 24 minutes.
Arnautovic, who looked lively throughout, played in Steven Nzonzi, and the midfielder's shot was deflected over for a corner with goalkeeper Tim Krul looking beaten in the visitors' goal.
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The Austrian was again instrumental in setting up Peter Odemwingie and the Nigerian forward somehow managed to miss the ball completely with a wild swipe on the half-hour mark.
Arnautovic continued in the same vein in the second period despite switching wings, and it was his direct dribble and pass that nearly set up Crouch, but the tall frontman couldn't quite connect with the cut-back.
He was at it again moments later and this time the pass was met by Charlie Adam, but the Scot somehow failed to score when he skewed his effort wide of the goal with 15 minutes remaining.
Paul Gorst
