Stoke City: Vital statistics
All the facts and figures ahead of Stoke City's Premier League match against Newcastle United at St James' Park
PREVIOUS MEETING
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January 16, 2008
Newcastle United 4 (Owen 8, Cacapa 31, Milner 68, Duff 76)
Stoke City 1 (Lawrence, 89)
STOKE were outclassed on a night hijacked by news of Kevin Keegan's third coming at United. By the time he had emerged in the directors' box, Michael Owen had already eased Newcastle towards their FA Cup replay win. Not even the dismissal of Emre could even it up, so Liam Lawrence's screamer was nothing but consolation.
Newcastle: Given, Carr, Enrique, Taylor, Cacapa, Duff, Emre, N'Zogbia (LuaLua, 79), Milner, Owen, Viduka (Carroll, 73).
Stoke: Simonsen, Zakuani, Pugh, Cort, Shawcross, Lawrence, Eustace (Pulis, 78), Delap (Dickinson, 78), Cresswell, Parkin (Diao, 62), Fuller.
Attendance: 35,108.
FORM GUIDE
Newcastle: WLDDD
Stoke: WLWDL
WHO WE'D LIKE TO SIGN
Michael Owen: He is reportedly going cheaply with only six months left on his contract, though his wages might be another matter.
WHO TO BOO
Shola Ameobi: He was attributed with some rather ungracious comments about Stoke after an unsuccessful loan spell at the Brit last May.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Mike Dean (Wirral): Has Phil Scolari's rant still ringing in his ears after Arsenal's 'offside' goal at Chelsea. Last refereed Stoke in August's 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough.
PROBABLE TEAMS
Newcastle: Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Martins, Owen.
Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Higginbotham, Cort, Ab Faye, Tonge, Diao, Am Faye, Delap, Sidibe, Fuller.
PREDICTION
AN uncharacteristic error by Shay Given hands substitute Tom Soares a simple tap-in to grab a fortunate 1-1 draw after Michael Owen's 60th-minute header puts Newcastle ahead.











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