Stoke moved into the top half of the Premier League by cruising to a 4-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
Jon Walters put Stoke ahead after 28 minutes, but the floodgates only opened after the break with Jermaine Pennant, Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller scoring.
Newcastle has taken just one point from its last three games and is four points above the relegation zone.
''We have always been conscious we have never been that far away (from the relegation zone),'' Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said. ''But I think we have enough in the dressing room and enough quality to win the next game and give ourselves some breathing space.''
Stoke, which has an FA Cup semifinal against Bolton to look forward to next month, is just a point further ahead of Newcastle on 37.
''It looks like a side will need more than 40 points to guarantee safety,'' Stoke manager Tony Pulis said. ''We have eight games to go, four at home, and have to make sure we pick points up.''
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 a minute into the second half.
Three minutes later Higginbotham drove a free kick through the wall and into the net, leaving Harper rooted to the spot.
Fuller completed the rout in stoppage time after a flick-on from Walters.
