Stoke City and Newcastle United are locked in a tense goalless battle after a tight first half at the Britannia Stadium.

© PA Photos

Both sides have struggled to create clear-cut opportunities but have kept the referee busy in a keenly-contested match.

Davide Santon, James Perch and Charlie Adam were all booked in the opening 30 minutes of a physical battle.

Glenn Whelan produced the most exciting moment of the opening period, sending a swerving volley narrowly wide from distance.

Alan Pardew's side struggled to provide service for strike duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse for much of the first 45 minutes.

Stoke were forced into a change just before the interval when Peter Crouch was replaced by Kenwyne Jones after the striker was caught by Mike Williamson.