Premier League: Stoke 4 Newcastle 0

Stoke claimed their biggest-ever Premier League win and left Newcastle looking nervously over their shoulder towards the relegation battle.

Jonathan Walters’ first-half goal edged Stoke into an interval lead and Tony Pulis’ side added another three after the break with a ruthless display of finishing.

Only two points separated these mid-table sides before the clash, although neither are yet safe from relegation.

Some of Stoke’s good early-season form has been undone by a recent miserable run which has seen them win just once in the Premier League since January.

Newcastle have a near identical record to that of the Potters since the turn of the year, and have suffered something of a striker shortage following the sale of top scorer Andy Carroll to Liverpool during the transfer window.

Consequently, both sides appeared to cancel each other out in an uneventful half hour at the Britannia Stadium.

But, with the first real chance of the clash, Stoke took the lead thanks to a fine front-post header from Walters.

A neat three-man move involving Marc Wilson, Ryan Shawcross and Jermaine Pennant ended with the latter delivering a testing ball which Walters met with aplomb.

Newcastle, meanwhile, were struggling to create but almost managed to level the scores on the stroke of half time.

Danny Simpson’s cross went all the way through to Shane Ferguson on the left, and Asmir Begovic had to be alert to save the young left-back’s goal-bound delivery.

However, Newcastle were made to pay for that missed chance as Stoke surged into a three-goal lead within four minutes of the re-start.

Firstly Pennant, the provider of the first goal, capitalised on a ridiculous series of defensive errors to tap home Stoke’s second from close range, then Higginbotham drove a fierce free-kick past Steve Harper, who barely moved, such was the ferocity of the strike.

That quick-fire double shook Newcastle into life and Alan Pardew’s side began to gain the upper hand despite their deficit.

That said, they were still struggling to create and Ferguson, who impressed after replacing the injured Jose Enrique in the first half, shot tamely at Begovic from six yards after a slalom-like run.

Later, the keeper was easily able to claim a deflected strike from Joey Barton.

Pardew threw on winger Jonas Gutierrez and striker Nile Ranger at the hour mark, but all was in vain as Stoke stood firm – and added a fourth through substitute Ricardo Fuller.