Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits his side face a battle to retain their Premier League status for a second successive season.
They are only four points clear of the drop zone after losing 4-0 to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Jon Walters put the home side ahead in the eighth minute and Newcastle folded in the second half to Pardew's dismay.
Jermaine Pennant, Danny Higginbotham and substitute Ricardo Fuller completed the scoring.
Pardew said: "We have always been conscious we have never been that far away (from the relegation zone).
"The scoreline is going to put some pressure on us in terms of our next home game. It is one of those days you would like to forget as a manager.
"But I think we have enough in the dressing room and enough quality to win the next game and give ourselves some breathing space."
Walters scored his eighth goal of the season when he headed in Pennant's cross.
Pennant then scored at the back post after goalkeeper Steve Harper made a mess of a clearance in the 46th minute.
Three minutes later, Higginbotham drove a free-kick through the wall, leaving Harper rooted to the spot.
Fuller completed the scoring in stoppage time with a wonderful individual effort after a flick-on from Walters.
Pardew said: "I am obviously disappointed with the scoreline. I thought at half-time we were unlucky to be 1-0 down as we controlled much of the tempo.
"But the first five minutes of the second half cost us the game. Even before Harper made an error we should have got rid of the ball.
"We conceded a second and from moment on we had a mountain to climb. Again with the third goal we put the ball at risk, although I don't think it was a free-kick."
Fuller was involved in an unseemly exchange with Joey Barton and the Newcastle midfielder responded angrily, prompting a brief scuffle among players.
Pardew said: "It wasn't a confrontation with Fuller. Fuller just went up and kicked him and he walked off. Joey just asked him 'why did you kick me'."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis could not hide his delight after his side completed one of the best week's in their recent history.
The four-goal show followed their achievement last weekend in reaching the FA Cup semi-final and a meeting against Bolton.
Pulis said: "We are pleased, we knew it was going to be a tough game. On the back of what we did against West Ham there was a concern the players might not be focussed and a little bit drained.
"We are doing things at this club that have not happened for 39 years. The players are not used to the pressure of playing in these competitions at the level we are dealing with now."
Pulis believes, though, they still have work to do to remain in the top flight.
He said: "It might even be over 40 points now if you look at the table. We have eight games to go, four at home, and have to make sure we pick points up."
Meanwhile Pardew has promised to look into claims that injured players Leon Best and Stephen Ireland were spotted in a Newcastle nightclub.
He said: "That is a situation I have to look at on Monday morning. It is news to me.
"It is not an ideal situation when you have a game on Saturday even though they are injured. I will look at that."
