Stoke City came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in their Premier League match this afternoon.
Jack Colback made the breakthrough for the Magpies in the 74th minute, just moments after he was spared a second yellow card.
Newcastle had various opportunities to double their lead, but they were made to pay as in the final minute Peter Crouch headed in to earn his side a point.
Find out how the action unfolded below courtesy of Sports Mole's live text coverage.
Good afternoon everyone! We've reached the midway point of our triple bill of Premier League coverage today and it should be another fascinating match, as Newcastle United welcome Stoke City to St James' Park.
The Magpies have had a difficult start to the year, but they ended a run of four games without a win by beating Hull City 3-0 last weekend. It certainly eased any relegation fears that they may have harboured and was a welcome boost for newly appointed head coach John Carver.
Meanwhile, Stoke have enjoyed a really decent run of form in the past few weeks. They have won four out of six games in the league, while they have cruised through to the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they will face Blackburn Rovers next weekend.
The Potters have arrived at St. James' Park #COYP #SCFC pic.twitter.com/le6mPFIx3n
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 8, 2015
Right, before I go any further I can now bring you the team news from St James' Park, which was announced just a few moments ago.
NEWCASTLE XI: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Haidara, Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Cabella, Perez, Ameobi
STOKE XI: Begovic, Bardsley, Muniesa, Wollscheid, Wilson, Whelan, Nzonzi, Walters, Ireland, Moses, Diouf
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Woodman, Dummett, Abeid, Obertan, Gouffran, Riviere, Cisse
STOKE SUBS: Butland, Cameron, Wilkinson, Palacios, Adam, Sidwell, Crouch
TEAM NEWS: So, that's how each team lines up today. Newcastle are unchanged from last week's thumping win at Hull. It means that Sammy Ameobi and Ayoze Perez lead the attack, with Papiss Cisse having to settle for a place on the bench. The visitors have made a couple of changes to their side, as Marc Muniesa and Mame Birmam Diouf replace Ryan Shawcross and Marko Arnautovic.
Let's get back to our build up ahead of today's match and take a look at the home side. It really has been quite a mixed season for the Toon, but their fans are probably used to the drama after all of these years!
Their campaign started disastrously and they were without a victory in the Premier League for their first seven games. That duck was finally broken with a win over Leicester City and they followed it up with four more victories on the spin to move into the top four.
Despite a patchy run of form after that they still managed wins over Chelsea and Everton, before Alan Pardew announced that he was leaving to join Crystal Palace at the start of the year. John Carver was placed in temporary charge, but it wasn't until last week that he was able to guide the club to three points after being confirmed as the manager until the summer.
With all the fuss over who would be the club's next boss, there was relatively little activity in the transfer market last month. There were no new arrivals and the only players that left were Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who was already on loan at Roma, and Hatem Ben Arfa, who cancelled his contract to join Nice, but was unable to play for the club because of a FIFA ruling.
While you would assume that Newcastle are pretty much safe from relegation, there is probably too much for them to do to qualify for Europe. They are currently 12 points away from earning the final Europa League spot, so the focus will really be on ending the season strongly and making sure of a top half finish.
Today's visitors to St James' Park are also in a similar situation to Newcastle, as Stoke sit just above the Magpies in the league table. It has been a largely inconsistent season for Mark Hughes's side, but since Christmas they seem to have found their form and will be confident of a decent end to the campaign.
The Potters have actually won six matches since Boxing Day, with two of those coming against Wrexham and Rochdale in the FA Cup. Their only defeat in the past seven weeks came at the Emirates where they were beaten 3-0 by a rampant Arsenal side.
Despite their good recent form, Stoke were dealt a blow by the news that Bojan Krkic will be out for the remainder of the season with a knee ligament injury. It has left them slightly short up front as they were unable to bring in any new players last month.
The focus will now be on players like Jon Walters to shine and the Irish international certainly did that last weekend by grabbing a hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers. He has been involved in creating more league goals than any of his teammates, scoring seven and assisting three this season.
Stoke actually came out on top when the two teams last played back in September, with an early goal from Peter Crouch enough to claim the points. They have won their last two games against the Magpies, but in general their record is pretty poor as they have won 26 and lost 43 of their previous 89 meetings.
© Getty Images
PREDICTION: With around 15 minutes to go until kick off it's time for a prediction! I think we could be in for a really good game today, with two teams that can play without any fear of relegation. A win for either side could help to boost an unlikely European challenge, but gaining momentum ahead of next season is probably more important. There could be quite a few goals too, so I'm going to sit on the fence and go for a 2-2 draw.
You've heard my thoughts on today's match, so why not check out our video preview with the guys down at Sports Mole HQ!
I can tell you that it's just finished in today's early kick off between Burnley and West Bromwich Albion. Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings gave the Clarets a two-goal lead, but Chris Brunt and Brown Ideye salvaged a point for the visitors. You can read our match report of all the action at Turf Moor right here.
Do remember that following the conclusion of this match, we will have more live coverage from the East End of London, as West Ham United host Manchester United. I'd expect that to be a very tasty game so make sure you don't miss it!
As the players make their way out of the tunnel let me leave you with this impressive statistic from the Potters.
Stoke have 32 pts from 23 games in the Premier League this term, their best ever return at this stage of the season. pic.twitter.com/xA9sxVnauR
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 8, 2015
KICKOFF! We are underway at St James' Park!
Stoke have made a decent start to the match and they are enjoying plenty of the ball. They are putting a good amount of pressure on the Newcastle backline, but we are still yet to see our first effort on goal.
There is a real battle going on out there between Walters and Coloccini. The Stoke forward has come out on top in a couple of aerial duels and it's certainly something to keep an eye out for as the match progresses.
SHOT! It's not just Coloccini who is having a hard time dealing with Walters. The striker manages to beat Williamson to a long ball forward before turning and firing in a strike that heads just wide of the far post. I spoke about his threat before the match and he is the danger man in the early stages here.
SAVE! Newcastle have barely threatened but they spring into life here. Sissoko does brilliantly down the left to tease a ball into the box that looks for the run of Cabella. The Frenchman then arrives at the front post and flicks an effort goalwards, but Begovic flings out an arm to tip the ball over.
The hosts are really starting to come into this game now and they cause another moment of panic in the Stoke defence. Ameobi is the creator as he slides a ball through looking for the run of Haidara, but Diouf is back to help see it out of play.
YELLOW CARD! Moses is the first player to go into the book for a high challenge on Williamson.
In the past couple of minutes Stoke have created some dangerous moments with a cross from Bardsley just about scrambled clear by the defence. Another delivery then comes into the box, but once again the hosts survive.
Ameobi has been one of the bright sparks for the Magpies in the opening minutes of the game. He threads another great pass down the left that Perez latches onto, and the young Spaniard then drills a dangerous ball across the box that none of his teammates are able to reach.
YELLOW CARD! Stoke pick up their second booking of the afternoon, with Ireland shown a yellow card for a crunching challenge on Colback.
Newcastle are looking really dangerous on the counter and they break at pace once again. Predictably Ameobi is involved at the start of the move and he combines with Sissoko to spring Cabella down the left. The Frenchman then looks to pick out the run of Sissoko ahead of him, but his final ball is just too strong and Begovic comes to claim.
SHOT! Ameobi has looked great for the hosts this afternoon and he must have gained plenty of confidence from his fine goal at Hull last weekend. He has another crack from range here, and although it is a decent hit, Begovic is down well to gather.
It almost seems like Newcastle are playing as if they are the away side. They look content to soak up the pressure from Stoke, who are seeing most the of possession, before getting plenty of men forward to support their quick breaks.
YELLOW CARD! It's fair to say that Stoke have put in some rugged challenges today and Whelan is their third player to be shown a yellow card for a poor tackle on Ameobi.
YELLOW CARD! Amoebi is back on the pitch and his first piece of action is to take out Bardsley down the right flank, resulting in a yellow card.
Stoke have had some decent moments in this half, but the Newcastle defence have been able to deal with Diouf and Walters quite comfortably so far. You get the sense that both teams are waiting for half time, with things getting a bit heated at the moment.
The visitors have managed to win a couple of free kicks in good positions down both flanks after some more robust tackles from the hosts. However, they are unable to profit, with Ireland and Moses not able to pick out any of their teammates with the set pieces.
CHANCE! With just a couple of minutes to go until half time Newcastle come close to taking the lead. From another counter attack, Cabella leads the charge and threads a great ball into the path of Perez. The striker then gets to the edge of the box and fires in a drive looking for the far corner, but his effort heads inches wide of the post.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
SAVE! What a great save this is from Krul! Ireland is played in down the right, before whipping in a great cross that is met by Diouf. His header looks as if it's going into the net, but the keeper manages to get a strong hand to the ball and palms it behind.
HALF-TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Stoke City
The whistle blows for half time and it's goalless between Newcastle and Stoke. There really wasn't too much to get excited about, but in a frantic end to the half Perez and Diouf both came close to giving their sides the lead.
In that first half, Stoke saw the vast majority of the ball and ended with 60% of the obsession. Despite that, they have only mustered two attempts on goal, with one finding the target. Newcastle have had five efforts, yet only two of those have tested Begovic.
Well, I feel that I must take the blame for the lack of goals having predicted a 2-2 draw! We may not have seen four goals, but there has been a host of yellow cards. It has threatened to boil over at times and I would not be surprised at all to see a red at some point.
While we wait for the match to get back underway, I will remind you that our live coverage continues with West Ham's clash against Manchester United at Upton Park. That game kicks off at 4.15pm, but our build up will begin in just a few minutes.
Newcastle take the kick off and get the second half started!
There's not too much to report in terms of chances this half, but there are a couple of early injury problems. Perez seemed to go over on his hand and looked rather uncomfortable, while Wilson looks as if he is going to go off after receiving some treatment.
SUBSTITUTION: Wilson does indeed have to come off, with Cameron taking his place in the defence.
YELLOW CARD! Colback is the fifth player to go into the referee's notebook this afternoon for a late challenge on Muniesa.
It's really scrappy out there at the moment and there are still a number of poor tackles going in. You feel that this sort of game will be favoured by Stoke, as Newcastle's attacking players are struggling to get involved and create any chances.
Colback is walking a bit of a tightrope out there at the moment, as he tugs back Wollscheid just minutes after picking up a booking. He is not one to shy away from a tackle and he will certainly have to calm down and compose himself if he wants to see this game out.
Stoke manage to win a succession of corners, but each time the Newcastle defence clear their lines. We have also seen Cisse on the touchline, so it won't be long until the striker comes on.
SUBSTITUTION: With the game screaming out for a goal Cisse is coming on for the hosts in plcae of Anita.
Haidara puts his team under a huge amount of danger by losing the ball to Diouf on the right touchline. The Stoke player then tries to pick out Walters with a low cross into the box, but it is too close to Krul who easily claims.
SUBSTITUTION: The Newcastle fans are not happy with this change. Cabella, who has looked one of their main threats, is replaced by Obertan.
Well, I spoke earlier about Colback having to calm down and he probably should have been sent off here. He catches Moses right in front of the referee, but he is not booked and only a free kick is given to the visitors.
Cisse has his first glimpse of goal when he is picked out inside the box by fellow substitute Obertan and directs his header wide. It wasn't the easiest of chances as the cross was slightly behind him, but it is a promising sign for Newcastle.
GOAL! Newcastle United 1-0 Stoke City (Jack Colback)
He probably should have been sent off a few moments ago, but Colback has given Newcastle the lead! Obertan delivers a low ball into the box that is controlled by Sissoko. He then lays the ball off for Colback to hammer in a low strike that finds the bottom corner and leaves Begovic helpless. You can be sure that Hughes will have something to say about that after the match!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Stoke do have the ball in the net, but it has been ruled out for an offside. It was Ireland who curled a fantastic strike into the corner after receiving the ball just outside the box, but he was clearly a couple of yards beyond the last man.
SUBSTITUTION: Stoke are going to make their second change of the afternoon, with Crouch replacing Ireland.
Newcastle are doing a really good job of pushing Stoke back as they try and salvage a point in the dying minutes. They haven't been able to get in behind for quite some time, while a long-range effort from Bardsley proves easy for the keeper to handle.
CHANCES! Newcastle have two great chances to score a second goal. Just moments after Obertan should score after getting onto Sissoko's pass, does Perez wriggle his way into the box before blazing high over the bar. Will they be made to pay for those misses?
SHOT! Stoke almost punish Newcastle immediately as Walters is picked out on the edge of the box, before turning and firing in a low drive that is well tipped behind by Krul.
GOAL! Newcastle United 1-1 Stoke City (Peter Crouch)
Newcastle will be absolutely kicking themselves now as they throw away their lead in the final minute. Crouch is the man scores, as he is picked out by Cameron's cross to the far post, before looping a header over Krul and into the net.
FULL-TIME: Newcastle United 1-1 Stoke City
What an ending to the match we have had here! Stoke left it late, but Crouch scored his second goal of the season against the Magpies to level it all up in the final minute. John Carver will be furious that his side weren't able to see out the game, as they were cruelly punished for some big misses.
That's all from me today, but make sure you stay with us for live coverage of West Ham and Manchester United's match. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend, Goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
