Stoke City vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Bet365 StadiumAttendance28,471.
Monday 1 January 2018 22:30, UK
Mark Hughes left the field to cries for him to quit from his own supporters after Stoke slipped to a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle.
Ayoze Perez's winner 17 minutes from time meant 2018 kicked-off in the same vein as 2017 for Hughes, who now has overseen seven defeats in his last 10 matches.
Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow repelled a late charge from the hosts, including two wonderful saves from Mame Biram Diouf but Stoke rarely carried the quality needed to break through.
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.
Although Stoke do remain outside the relegation zone by two points, the owners - the Coates family, who have been reluctant to change managers in the past - have a big decision to make as it seems Hughes has lost the majority of the fans' backing.
Newcastle should have taken the lead midway through the first half when Ciaran Clark somehow sent the ball over the crossbar from close range after Perez's clever flick.
Stoke carried a greater threat after the break but only had an Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting shot, which Darlow tipped over the bar, to show for their efforts.
Newcastle went close at the other end when Jonjo Shelvey sent a free-kick just wide, and the away end erupted 12 minutes later when Perez opened the scoring.
The striker met a fine cross by Jacob Murphy and shot past Butland.
It was Butland's opposite number Darlow who then came to the fore in the closing stages as Stoke went direct. Diouf's close-range acrobatic volley was saved one-handed by Darlow before he showed quick reactions again minutes later to deny Diouf, whose diving header was somehow blocked away.
The match winner never gave Stoke's back four a moment's rest. He buzzed around the front-line, winning crucial free-kicks and laying foundations for attacks, especially in the first half when he linked brilliantly with Christian Atsu. His goal was a poacher's finish from close range and was a moment his endeavours deserved.
Mark Hughes: When asked if he fears the sack, he replied: "That's not my decision - I know what I feel. We've got a group of players that are playing with a lack of confidence. When that happens their ability to make key decisions becomes tough. We're not overwhelmed by it - we've got to make sure we pick ourselves up."
Rafa Benitez: "We started really well this season then we had a bad run and lost confidence - but still the team was working hard. It is one thing me as a manager saying the players are working and don't give up, but you could see it today. It was an example of a team working hard.
"Stoke worked so hard and it was difficult for us."
Stoke face a trip to League Two side Coventry on Saturday in the FA Cup third round while Newcastle host Luton in the same competition.
