Half-Time Report: Newcastle, Stoke goalless at break

Aleksandar Mitrovic headed against the post but neither side have been able to find a breakthrough in the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Stoke City at St James' Park.

Newcastle secured their first win of the season in their last home match a fortnight ago and they had the first chance of the game in a frantic opening few minutes when Ayoze Perez cut inside, but the striker's weak shot was easily fielded by Jack Butland.

Stoke had a penalty shout turned down just a minute later when Bojan hit the floor under a challenge from Paul Dummett on the edge of the area, before Chancel Mbemba headed wide from a Newcastle corner after Philipp Wollscheid had deflected Aleksandar Mitrovic's shot over the crossbar.

© Getty Images

Jonathan Walters was rewarded for his fine goal against Chelsea in midweek with a Premier League start, and he came within inches of scoring the game's opening goal when he slid in but just could not convert after Mbemba sliced his clearance from Charlie Adam's cross.

Newcastle came even closer just before the half-hour mark when Mitrovic glanced Moussa Sissoko's cross off the inside of the post as the hosts began to exert their influence upon the match, but the half got increasingly scrappy as the whistle neared.