Stoke City 1-0 Newcastle United

Shaqiri won the match for Stoke with only his third goal of the season

Newcastle United remain in the Premier League relegation zone after Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri's late strike lifted Stoke City up to seventh.

Stoke dominated most of the game, but neither side failed to create clear chances in a low-key first half.

Newcastle improved after the break but went behind when Shaqiri's 20-yard strike flew in past Rob Elliot.

Jack Butland superbly saved substitute Seydou Doumbia's injury-time header as Stoke clinched a third straight win.

And, seconds after Doumbia almost levelled, the Potters hit the crossbar through Marko Arnautovic's stinging shot.

Read how Stoke nicked a late winner

How tough is a cold night at Stoke?

More misery for travelling Toon Army

Newcastle, who had not played since the 5-1 hammering at Chelsea 18 days ago, knew that a point would move them out of the bottom three at the expense of Sunderland and Norwich.

But the Magpies arrived at a cold, wet and windswept Britannia Stadium having scored just seven away goals this season - the lowest total in the entire English league.

That miserable statistic did not look like improving, with the visitors - despite a resolute defensive display - barely stretching Potters keeper Butland throughout.

Steve McClaren has described his Newcastle side as frustrating to manage

However, the England keeper - who denied Newcastle victory in October's reverse fixture - remained alert to come to Stoke's rescue in the dying moments.

"I'm glad we don't have to play against Jack Butland every week," said McClaren, whose side suffered a 15th league defeat of the season.

"He denied us victory at St James' Park and tonight he denied us a point I think we deserved. It's cruel that we lost."

Enter Shaqiri

Stoke dominated possession and territory throughout, but were unable to break down a compact Newcastle side who defended deep in a bid to stifle their hosts.

The Potters' supporters were becoming increasingly frustrated until Shaqiri scored with his side's first shot on target of the second half.

The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan winger ran onto Mame Biram Diouf's lay-off to blast an unstoppable past an off-guard Elliot.

"It was a great goal to win the game," said Potters manager Mark Hughes afterwards. "It had great power, was a great strike and the keeper didn't see it."

Newcastle, as shown by their average position graphic on the right, defended much deeper than Stoke in the first half. The Magpies were trying to stop a rotten run of conceding 10 goals in their previous three away matches.

Man of the match - Xherdan Shaqiri

Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri was Stoke's biggest threat throughout, having a game-high two shots on target before netting the winner

Manager reaction

Stoke manager Mark Hughes:

"They were difficult conditions today. The first half went against us, but I thought we were excellent in getting hold of the ball and probing crosses. The negative was not getting on the end of them.

"Second half, with the wind, we thought it would be an advantage but it didn't turn out that way.

"We kept going and Newcastle didn't have too many opportunities."

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren:

"I couldn't fault the players. We were organised, hard to beat, compact and we frustrated Stoke. They had one shot in the second half and scored.

"If we continue that hard work then we'll get what we deserve.

"It's difficult to stomach but you have to. Saturday at home against Bournemouth is a big game - we've got 11 games left and need a certain amount of victories. With the talent we've got, we're confident we can do it."

Stats of the day

• The past five Premier League meetings between Stoke and Newcastle have seen just five goals scored, with three of the games being 1-0 home wins for the Potters.

• Stoke have now won five of their past six Premier League home games against Newcastle, losing the other.

• Newcastle have lost 17 of their past 21 Premier League away games, including their past six.

• Only Aston Villa (6) have won fewer points away from home in the Premier League this season than Newcastle (7).

• Stoke substitute Peter Crouch made his 400th Premier League appearance.

What's next?

Newcastle face another important game in their battle against relegation, hosting 15th-placed Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Meanwhile, Stoke go to 10th-placed Chelsea, who are three points behind the Potters, at the same time.