Newcastle United have clinched a third consecutive win after beating Stoke City 2-1 in Saturday's Premier League encounter at St James' Park.
Jamaal Lascelles was the hero once again for the Magpies by scoring the winner 68 minutes in after goals from Christian Atsu and Xherdan Shaqiri had the game on a knife's edge.
The first attack of the game came the way of the hosts just two minutes in as Shaqiri gave the ball away, prompting a counter-attack, but Matt Ritchie's fierce effort from the edge of the area was deflected off target by Ayoze Perez.
Few chances were to follow in the following quarter of an hour but, on 19 minutes, Ritchie whipped a cross towards the back post where Atsu got the better of Mame Biram Diouf to slot home and score his first ever Premier League goal.
The game sparked into action from then on, with both sides weighing in with numerous dangerous chances, Joselu in particular coming close three times against the Potters.
Mark Hughes's charges were able to draw level, however, with a goal against the run of play, as Shaqiri picked up Joe Allen's pass and, from 30 yards out, curled a low left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Stoke's comeback was ultimately snuffed out by the man who scored Newcastle's winner against Swansea City last week, Lascelles meeting another Ritchie delivery to head the ball off Kevin Wimmer and into the back of the net on 68 minutes.
Giuseppe Labellarte
