AFTER a physical battle that at times was more like the film Gladiator than Premiership football, there was only one team left standing.

Liam Lawrence provided one of the few moments of genuine quality in a bruising encounter and ensured the three points stayed in the Potteries.

Last week Thomas Sorensen had no saves to make other than the Andy Carroll header that earned Newcastle an undeserved point.

This week, he had nothing to do other than make a tricky Abdoullah Faye back header look a lot simpler to catch than it was.

Other than that he was a spectator as Rovers’ initially threatening movements petered out into a series of hopelessly ineffective long balls well handled by Faye and Ryan Shawcross.

When you consider the stick Stoke have had this season about our style of play, it made you wonder what kind of press the Lancashire side get.

If this is was the kind of dross Sam Allardyce was serving up at St James Park, it’s hardly any wonder the Geordies were restless.

The never-say-die spirit of the Stoke team meant a potential bore draw was turned into victory late on, very much like the home game against West Brom.

Tony Pulis is far too smart to tell his players that they are safe, but one win at home to West Ham or Wigan or even a second away win at Hull will surely clinch a second season in the top flight.

With West Brom pretty much doomed, Newcastle need to record nine points more than Stoke in the last five games to catch us, while Middlesbrough are eight behind us.

And given the way Hull’s season is falling apart, I almost feel like having a flutter on a Potters away win there.

Next week’s opponents Fulham are a tough proposition at home, but with three wins and a draw in our last four, Stoke should be going there full of confidence.