Half time: Potters 0 Magpies 0

first footing

73 mins: A mis-kick from Charlie Adam within the centre circle allowed Jacob Murphy to push on, with space opening up ahead of him as he crossed into the opposition half and Adam made the merest attempt to catch up with him before slackening off.

Kevin Wimmer was no more interested in blocking the United winger's route to goal and Murphy swung over a low centre that evaded Geoff Cameron and reached the unmarked Ayoze Perez, who flicked it right-footed into the net from six yards via the boot of goalkeeper Jack Butland. 1-0

Full time: Potters 0 Magpies 1

Rafa:
 
"We started really well this season then we had a bad run and lost confidence - but still the team was working hard. 

"It is one thing me as a manager saying the players are working and don't give up, but you could see it today. It was an example of a team working hard.

"Stoke worked so hard and it was difficult for us.

"We know we are looking for something that can improve the team in different areas. The players are trying everything and I am pleased with them but if we can improve our squad we will try to."

On the unexpected Atsu/Perez partnership:

"The understanding was good between both. The rest of the team helped with good passes and after they defended all together, that was the key.

"We needed to cope with Stoke's pressure. They put in crosses and we did well.

"We had two or three counter-attacks that could have finished the game."

BBC Radio 5 correspondent Pat Murphy was at the game and commented afterwards:

"They love Rafa Benitez anyway. Their fans are fantastic. They play in front of 50,000 plus at home and Benitez is very, very good with the crowd.

"He is the star, more than any of their players on their pay roll. Benitez is the man who will keep them up. He got them up last year, he’s a terrific manager. He’s a Champions League winner, for heaven’s sake.

"That’s why the Geordie fans love him so much. He’s batting below, if you like, his average, he’s that good. He should be at a bigger club than Newcastle – although Newcastle’s potential is fantastic, of course it is.

"I think any fair-minded football fan will hope the takeover goes ahead and Rafa Benitez gets the money he deserves because apart from one or two coded messages he’s kept his head down and orchestrated a very, very important victory. 

"It’s a classic example of someone who respects the fans – as he did at Liverpool, and Liverpool fans love him as well.

"It’s a long way back from the Potteries to Newcastle but I’m delighted for them as an objective football reporter. They are proper football fans.”

Mark Hughes huffed:

"I made the changes as I had four defenders fit. That's all the players I had - that was the back four irrespective who I played in front of them.

"I had eight internationals involved that day - I had players that hadn't played for a while, they needed games.

"If we were closer to Chelsea in the second half, the guys that missed out, they would have played a part. As it was the game had gone away - that was the situation. Would you have done different? You would have played two strong teams?

About getting the sack:

"That's not my decision - I know what I feel. We've got a group of players that are playing with a lack of confidence. When that happens their ability to make key decisions becomes tough.

"We're not overwhelmed by it - we've got to make sure we pick ourselves up."
 

Newcastle welcomed in 2018 with three huge points on Monday afternoon as Ayoze Perez scored to gladden Geordie hearts in the cold, driving Staffordshire rain.

Having endured four successive defeats at what is now known as the bet365 Stadium, the Magpies were in no mood to make it five and should have been ahead well before the Spaniard netted with seventeen minutes of normal time remaining. 

United's fourth game in ten days saw Rafa Benitez select a surprise starting eleven with Christian Atsu supporting Perez up front (it was later confirmed that injury prevented Joselu from lining up against his old club).

With Mo Diame offering a welcome physical presence in midfield, Matt Ritchie and Jacob Murphy provided wide cover for a back four in which Javier Manquillo replaced Paul Dummett at left back.

And that reshuffle worked wonders; a hat-trick of early shooting chances falling to Atsu before Ciaran Clark contrived to blast over the bar from point-blank range - United unable to round off some grand approach work that noticeably funnelled down their right flank and at full back Erik Pieters - a Toon transfer target in his PSV days and returning to the side following injury.

By contrast City looked nervous and lacking belief, despite a raft of changes to the weakened XI beaten 0-5 at Chelsea on Saturday. That lack of quality and effort soon had home fans jeering, veteran forward Peter Crouch thankfully starved of service and making little impact on our defence. 

Despite that first half dominance though, United went in at the break with it still goalless - a rousing chorus from the travelling support as they wandered towards the dressing room underlining the collective thought that this game was there for the taking

United then kept their hosts waiting before the start of the second period, redoubling their efforts by going straight back on the attack from the off.

Kicking towards the away contingent, their best chance saw Jonjo Shelvey's free-kick whistle narrowly wide before an obvious push from behind on substitute Dwight Gayle in the box failed to result in a penalty kick - the striker's recent antics looking to have counted against him here.

While Shelvey's passing caused City problems, it was a mis-kick from his opposite number Charlie Adam near the centre circle that gave Murphy his opportunity to break across the halfway line at pace down the United right.

The former Norwich wideman has been criticised for his decision-making when in possession, but chose exactly the right option by pushing forward before sending in a timely low centre for the unmarked Perez to get just enough of a touch to beat Jack Butland from six yards.

Celebrations were joyous and prolonged - acknowledging the significance of the strike - but with more than 20 minutes remaining, including stoppages, there was still plenty of work to be done.

Thankfully Karl Darlow's lack of action in the first 70+ minutes didn't stop him from pulling off fine one-handed stops to deny both Mame Biram Diouf and Adam, while Jamaal Lascelles again played a prominent role in central defence and Paul Dummett appeared at centre half in the closing stages. 

There were a few half chances to double the lead, but United held firm until referee Chris Kavanagh - who has something of a history with us for prolonged additional second half minutes - blew for full time and kick-started further jubilant scenes. 

The win elevated us three places into thirteenth, while three points regained our point-per-game ratio and took us four points clear of the relegation zone. Seven points from four festive games - including one game against Manchester City - is an encouraging return given the run that came before it, even allowing for those two points wasted against Brighton.

Had this been a draw on the back of a home win over Chris Hughton's side, then we'd have exactly the same points tally - although the same profound sense of dropping points that we felt after drawing at West Bromwich Albion.  

Victory here though continues our very welcome habit of collecting points against sides at our level in the league - something that we never tire of saying cost us dearly in 2015/16. Six wins from sixteen games would take us to the magic 40 point mark that has usually ensured survival.

It also rewards those who made considerable sacrifices to get here on the first day of 2018 and kept faith with their favourites as they made and missed chances before hitting pay dirt. 

The outcome also lends credence to the feeling that this squad is better equipped to play away from home - although we of course beat Stoke and West Ham at Gallowgate. Needless to say, a further three point haul on Tyneside against Swansea City in a fortnight is of vital importance.

Finishing fourth bottom at the end of the season was always our own target for 2017/18 but although we're back on track to a certain extent, that shouldn't be used as an excuse for not pledging funds to further improve our survival chances this month.

Given the uncertainty that currently surrounds the future ownership of the club though, that's exactly what seems to be unfolding. On that basis, the upturn in performances from the likes of Diame is massively welcome and the form and fitness of Lascelles is pivotal. 

Mid-season recruitment though is even more of an imprecise art than close season acquisitions: two prime examples were on view today (if you knew where to look). 

Newcastle's January 2011 deadline day arrival Stephen Ireland was a total disaster at SJP, while our prolonged but unsuccessful pursuit of Saido Berahino in January 2016 was a colossal bullet dodged, today his 24th game for Stoke and like the other 23, goal-free. Adam Armstrong can do that....

For whatever reason, be it finance or the lack of suitable candidates - the current garrison may well have to hold the fort - and need every encouragement in doing so. Happy new year, hopefully.

Niall/Biffa