Magpies held in St James' Park stalemate

Butland made three superb second-half saves, twice denying Moussa Sissoko and also thwarting Magpies substitute Jamaal Lascelles to ensure Steve McClaren’s side have still claimed just one Premier League win all season.

Newcastle were the dominant side for the majority of the afternoon, but not for the first time this season, their lack of cutting edge was alarmingly apparent.

Stoke offered little as an attacking force, although Rob Elliot had to make a decent save of his own to deny Jonathan Walters.

The point lifts Newcastle back above Sunderland in the table, but they remain in the bottom three, a point ahead of Bournemouth who they meet next weekend.

McClaren made one change from the side that had lost the Wear-Tyne derby at Sunderland six days earlier, with Vurnon Anita replacing the injured Jack Colback at the heart of midfield.

Newcastle had dominated the opening 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light, only to be hit with a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time when Fabricio Coloccini was dismissed, and once again they were the better side before the interval against Stoke.

There wasn’t much in it this time around though, with both teams struggling to carve out clear-cut chances despite displaying plenty of effort and endeavour.

Newcastle carved out the opening opportunity, but after cutting in from the left-hand side, Aleksandar Mitrovic fired in a weak effort that was easily saved by Butland.

Stoke were appealing for a fifth-minute penalty when Paul Dummett appeared to bundle into Bojan Krkic in the area, but unlike last weekend, when Robert Madley was quick to penalise Coloccini for a shove on Steven Fletcher, referee Roger East waved play on.

Chancel Mbemba headed well wide from an Ayoze Perez corner, before almost playing his own side into trouble at the opposite end of the field. Mbemba completely failed to connect with Charlie Adam’s cross from the left, but an unsighted Walters failed to anticipate his error and was unable to make contact himself as he slid into the six-yard box.

The opening period was an error-strewn affair, with too many players conceding possession and displaying a poor first touch, but the one moment of genuine class arrived in the 28th minute and almost resulted in a Newcastle goal.

Mitrovic rose superbly to meet Sissoko’s left-wing cross, but his glanced header struck the right-hand upright before bouncing kindly for Butland to collect the rebound.

That was by far the best moment for either side before the interval, with Adam rounding off the first half with a long-range strike that sailed well over the crossbar.

The second half began with Newcastle on the front foot, and after cutting in from the left-hand touchline, Perez curled a neat 48th-minute strike narrowly beyond the far post.

Georginio Wijnaldum also went close at the start of the second half, drawing a foul on the edge of the area and curling in a free-kick that Butland tipped over the crossbar.

Elliot had not had a save to make at that stage, but he was called into action moments later, and thankfully for Newcastle, was up to the task.

Walters met Marko Arnautovic’s cross with a powerful back-post header, but Elliot displayed impressive reflexes to keep the ball out.

The second period was much more open than the first, and the Magpies should really have broken the deadlock via Sissoko in the 55th minute.

The France international found himself bursting into the area after a one-two with Wijnaldum unlocked the Stoke defence, but his shot was directed too close to the goalkeeper and Butland was able to make a crucial save with his legs.

Mbemba met Perez’s subsequent corner with a front-post header, but his effort flew wide of the upright.

At least Newcastle were generating momentum though, and the hosts went close again shortly before the hour mark as Perez broke from midfield before firing in a fierce 22-yard effort that Butland did well to beat away.

Adam dragged a shot well wide at the other end, and McClaren made his first change with 20 minutes remaining as Siem de Jong replaced Cheick Tiote.

The Magpies were also forced to bring on Lascelles in the closing stages after Daryl Janmaat picked up a knock, and they were denied once again by Butland with six minutes left.

Wijnaldum pulled the ball back into Sissoko’s path, but while the Frenchman fired in a ferocious strike from inside the area, Butland produced a superb save to tip the ball over the bar.

The Stoke goalkeeper was in inspired form all afternoon, and he made another crucial intervention as Newcastle continued to press with three minutes left.

Lascelles met Perez’s free-kick with a powerful header, but Butland made another flying stop to tip the ball to safety.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Janmaat (Lascelles 83), Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Anita, Tiote (de Jong 70); Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez; Mitrovic.

Subs (not used): Woodman (gk), Haidara, Gouffran, Thauvin, Cisse.

Stoke (4-5-1): Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Shaqiri (Crouch 90), Whelan, Bojan (Afellay 59), Adam, Arnautovic (van Ginkel 88); Walters.

Subs (not used): Haugaard (gk), Wilson, Ireland, Diouf.

HOW TWITTER REACTED TO THE WIN:

Carole Blue ‏@CabInStelling  

Elliot injured now. Bad to worse. #nufc. Wondered why he wasn't kicking much today.

Dogba ‏@chocolatbear44

It's coming guys.. I'd prefer to be watching a team who's exciting and deserving results than one that's getting sneaky, lucky points #NUFC

stewart stephenson ‏@stupotstevo  

@nufcfans #nufc Austin looking cheap at 15 million now ... Over 20 shots 2 games !!! 0 goals !!! Good average that !!

Cola ‏@Percycola  

Decent game for a 0-0. Think we would have won but for Butland however Stoke were dangerous on the break. #NUFC #SCFC

Nickolay St Nickolov ‏@kokoutd  

One win and four draws in eleven games: what else can you dream of? #nufc