Stoke 4 Newcastle 0: Potters run riot to thrash sorry Toon

21 March 2011 09:04
[LNB]  It is hard to imagine which of Newcastle's two old boys, Steve Harper and Sol Campbell, both 36, was the most embarrassed as Stoke sealed their biggest Premier League win. [LNB]Certainly the most upset was midfielder Joey Barton, who lost the plot in the dying seconds, running 30 yards to confront Ricardo Fuller and accuse the striker of taking him out off the ball. [LNB] Losing it: Joey Barton (left) clashes with Stoke's Ricardo Fuller[LNB]As referee Lee Mason and team-mates pulled the two men apart, Barton appeared to offer Fuller outside after the final whistle. But all seemed calm between the two as they walked off the pitch. [LNB]Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said: 'I didn't think it was a confrontation. Fuller just came on and kicked Joey. I heard Joey ask him, "Why did you kick me?" As far as I know it all calmed down.' [LNB]Centre-back Campbell made his second league start under Pardew and was at fault for two of the goals as his boss's bad run extended to one win in 10, the same sequence that saw predecessor Chris Hughton sacked. [LNB] Jermaine man: Stoke's Jermaine Pennant celebrates his goal[LNB]Jonathan Walters got in front of Campbell to head the opener and goalkeeper Harper's wretched non-clearance paved the way for Jermaine Pennant to notch No 2 50 seconds into the second half. [LNB]MATCH STATS STOKE (4-4-2): Begovic; Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham; Pennant (Whitehead 80min), Whelan, Delap, Etherington (Pugh 60); Walters, Jones (Fuller 88). Subs (not used): Sorensen, Collins, Diao, Wilkinson. Booked: Etherington. [LNB]NEWCASTLE (3-3-2-2): Harper; Coloccini, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Williamson; Enrique (Ferguson 23), Tiote, Simpson; Barton, Nolan; Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi. Subs (not used): Krul, Guthrie, S Taylor, Kuqi. Booked: Tiote. [LNB]Referee: L Mason (Lancashire). [LNB]Pardew said: 'Even before Stevie's error, we should have clearedthe ball. I didn't think Sol played poorly. We changed the shape of theteam and we were beaten 4-0. We have to accept that.' [LNB]New dad Danny Higginbotham scored the third from a free-kick. Stoke bombarded their opponents with long balls, as well as Rory Delap's long throws. Mark Wilson met Pennant's corner with abooming header that went wide, before Walters struck the first blow. [LNB]Pennant again supplied the ammunition, this time with right-wing cross that Walters met at the near post. When substitute Shane Ferguson lashed in a left-foot volley, it had the stampof a Newcastle equaliser - until Asmir Begovic clawed the ball from under the bar. [LNB]And with the second half only seconds old, Harper made a hash of clearing Mike Williamson's back-pass and Matty Etherington's short cross was mis-headed by Campbell straight to the feet of Pennant to score. [LNB]When Kenwyne Jones was chopped down soon after, Higginbotham rifled the 25-yard free-kick into the roof of the net. Fuller completed the victory, which takes Stoke to 37 points, but boss Tony Pulis said: 'It might need more than 40 points. We know it will be tough.'[LNB] Dan's the man: Stoke celebrate after Danny Higginbotham put the Potters 3-0 up[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Stoke are just like Wimbledon... but that's a compliment, says PardewEXCLUSIVE: Toon's Best blow but Barton and Enrique to face StokePREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: All of Saturday's action from around the groundsAll the latest Newcastle United news, features and opinionAll the latest Stoke City news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Tony Pulis, Danny Higginbotham, Sol Campbell, Joey Barton, Chris Hughton Places: Newcastle

Source: Daily_Mail