Stoke character delights Mark Hughes after late win over Newcastle
Thursday 3 March 2016 00:15, UK
Stoke boss Mark Hughes praised his players for persevering after Xherdan Shaqiri's late strike earned a 1-0 win over Newcastle.
The match at the Britannia Stadium had appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw, until the Switzerland international's intervention 10 minutes from time handed the home side a 1-0 win.
That victory moved Stoke up to seventh in the table and now with a great chance of bettering their best-ever Premier League finish of ninth, achieved last season.
"The conditions were not great tonight in fairness," Hughes said. "The first half, against the wind, I thought we played really well in terms of having good control of the game.
"We put a lot of good balls into the box, but did not get on the end of them unfortunately. But we had good opportunities in the first half without being able to get on the goalscoring sheet.
"In the end Xherdan Shaqiri, who I thought was good in the first half in terms of his energy and play, was able to get on the edge of the box. And obviously he has put his foot through it and with a bit of wind to assist it, the 'keeper did not see it I think. But a great goal to win the game."
As well as heaping praise on Shaqiri, Hughes was also quick to highlight the contribution of goalkeeper Jack Butland, whose stoppage-time save from Seydou Doumbia sealed their win.
"In fairness Jack had very little to do tonight and I think it is a sign of a good 'keeper when you have very little to do," he said. "But your concentration has to be top notch because you know at some point that you could be called upon.
"At that late stage, with a few minutes to go, Jack has produced a fantastic save. Good 'keepers do that for you, they save you points and victories and in the end we were grateful for that."
