Stoke beats Newcastle 1-0 in Premier League

STOKE, England (AP) Peter Crouch headed in the only goal as Stoke beat Newcastle 1-0 for its first home victory of the season in the Premier League, ratcheting up the pressure on visiting manager Alan Pardew.

Crouch rose above Fabricio Coloccini to head in a cross from Victor Moses in the 15th minute, which proved enough against a Newcastle side that struggled to create scoring chances and remained without a win this season.

Moses was lively throughout at a rain-drenched Britannia Stadium and appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty when he was pushed down in the area by Yoan Gouffran shortly afterward. Substitute Marko Arnautovic hit the post for Stoke early in the second half.

Jack Colback came closest to equalizing when he hit the crossbar from close range late on.

Newcastle is second from bottom with three points from six games and has won only once in 14 top-flight games stretching back to last season, with 10 of those being losses. Stoke climbed to 11th place with eight points.

Magpies owner Mike Ashley was in the stands to watch this latest loss, with some of the visiting fans holding up ''Sack Pardew'' signs to voice their displeasure.

Pardew acknowledged that ''we've got to find a little more quality'' but insisted that he expects to stay in the job.

''We have to fight. I have to fight, the team has to fight,'' Pardew said. ''I'm here to lead the team, and that's what I'll do.''