Alan Pardew: 'Sending-offs changed game'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that the dismissals of two Stoke City players changed the course of their Premier League clash this afternoon.

Pardew's men thrashed visitors Stoke 5-1 at St James' Park, with the travelling side being reduced to nine men inside the first half of the game.

"I thought the Stoke players conducted themselves brilliantly in the second half - against our strike force and down to nine men," said Pardew, according to BBC Sport.

"It was a shame for Stoke because the two sending-offs were a major factor in us winning in the manner we did."

Newcastle's win sees them vying for a Champions League position, currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League table.