SPARKED Hughes is on the brink after another five-goal hammering
STOKE manager Mark Hughes was CLINGING to his job last night after his side endured another hefty thrashing on the road.
This five-goal defeat at Chelsea came just three weeks after they suffered a 5-1 humbling at the hands of Spurs at Wembley.
It also means Stoke have now conceded eight goals more than any other team in the Premier League and the dark clouds simply will not lift from over Hughes’ head.
Tomorrow’s home game against Newcastle is now even more important for the Welshman.
And the former Chelsea forward admitted some of the six changes he made against his old club were with that game in mind.
He said: “I made decisions I feel will help us with the game we have against Newcastle.
“We rested players carrying knocks who will be fresh and ready to go. The decisions weren’t easy but ones I was prepared to make.
“It’s about getting the win against Newcastle now and then this Christmas period will have been a good return.”
Hughes was rumoured to have one game to save his job – against West Brom last week – and narrowly sneaked a victory.
But the Potters’ freefall down the table continued at pace yesterday when they were totally dominated by a Chelsea side who rested Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas.
It could have been worse than 5-0 had Antonio Conte decided to field a full-strength side.
Stoke have only won five games this season and it does not look like being a happy New Year for Hughes.
His players threw in the towel early yesterday, conceding three goals in just 23 minutes, before failing to put up any sort of fightback.
Match Report: RESULT! P4-5 TOUGH TIMES: Mark Hughes endured another painful afternoon