By Russell Edge

Newcastle United secured their third straight Premier League victory after a 2-1 victory at home to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Christian Atsu and Jamaal Lascelles were enough to secure the three points and shoot the Magpies up the table into fourth place, level with reigning champions Chelsea on nine points and just four behind league leaders Manchester City.

It was an impressive performance from Rafael Benitez's side, although they could have been comfortably ahead had it not been for some poor finishing from a number of the Newcastle players.

Their profligacy meant that Xherdan Shaqiri's strike was an equaliser rather than a consolation goal, and would have left both the players and the fans nervous about the full time score.

However club captain Lascelles was there once again to score the winning goal, and send the Toon Army home happy for the third match day running.

So, how did the Newcastle players rate on Saturday afternoon? Here Football Insider rates each player, including a man whose performance could have seen victory slip away from the Magpies' grasp.

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Rob Elliot - 7

The Republic of Ireland international has firmly established himself as the first choice goalkeeper at St James' Park, and with two clean sheets in a row he demonstrated why he deserves to start between the sticks.

His alertness and positioning prevented an ambitious first half Xherdan Shaqiri effort from curling into the side netting, while he denied Choupo-Moting with a smart stop at the beginning of the second half.

However he perhaps should have done better with Shaqiri's equaliser, which curled just past his outstretched palm.

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DeAndre Yedlin - 7

Pace is crucial to the counter-attacking style of football Benitez is looking to employ at Newcastle, and no one possesses more of that in black and white than American international Yedlin.

He continually posed an attacking threat as burned up and down the right flank, supporting Matt Ritchie, and his speed earned his former Tottenham team mate Kevin Wimmer a yellow card in the first half.

His defensive reading of the game was also brilliant, as he cut out Stoke attack time and again, and Benitez will have been happy to have been able to recall him to the starting XI.

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Jamaal Lascelles - 8

Was Newcastle's star performer at Swansea with an outstanding performance which was capped with a goal, and he replicated his goal scoring heroics in front of the home fans this week.

He offered Stoke's forwards very little and was resolute at the back alongside Ciaran Clark, with the duo forming a formidable partnership in the Premier League, much like last season in the second tier.

He had a chance in the first half from a Matt Ritchie set piece but his header was poor and off target.

However he made up for his miss with another strong header from a corner, and his fine performances will be catching the eye of many across the country.

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Ciaran Clark - 7

Again, like Lascelles, the Republic of Ireland international was pretty comfortable against Stoke, with the forwards not doing much to stretch the backline.

There was not a lot he could have done for Stoke's goal, but earned himself a yellow card for a firm challenge on Shaqiri with just over 15 minutes left to play.

Another strong performance and is proving that he has what it takes to perform in the top flight after impressing in the Championship last season.

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Chancel Mbemba - 7

A natural centre back, the Democratic Republic of Congo international has performed admirably on the left in light of Newcastle's injury woes. Replacing Jesus Gamez after missing last week's match due to a knock, his physicality helped nullify the threat of Mame Biram Diouf,

Helped out by Christian Atsu in front of him, he even offered an attacking threat, demonstrating that he is not your typical defender. His versatility could be crucial to Newcastle's efforts this season, with Paul Dummett's regular place at left back under threat.

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Mikel Merino - 7

Already firmly a fan favourite at St James' Park, the Spanish youngster demonstrated why Jonjo Shelvey is struggling to break back into the starting XI, with the loanee demonstrating an impressive range of passing to go alongside his all action performances.

Earned a yellow card in the second half but aside from that, this was another confident performance as he helped Newcastle over the line with a solid performance in the playmaker role.

However, if Benitez did want to reinstate Shelvey, then Merino would likely be first on the chopping block due to their similarities.

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Isaac Hayden - 6

Was walking a tightrope from the 25th minute after he found himself in the referee's book thanks to a lunging challenge on Joe Allen, but he managed the situation well with another intelligent performance from the former Arsenal youngster.

However he perhaps should have been closer to Shaqiri for the equaliser, instead giving the Swiss international the space needed to curl one home. With Jonjo Shelvey sitting on the bench, his place is always under threat,

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Matt Ritchie - 9

In Jonjo Shelvey's absence, it is the Scottish international who has taken over set piece duties and time after again his deliveries threatened the Stoke defence, with the pressure finally paying off for Lascelles' winner.

However he also demonstrated his ability from open play with an excellent cross which cut Stoke's defence apart and gave Christian Atsu the opportunity to open the scoring.

Well supported by DeAndre Yedlin down the right side, his defensive effort was crucial in preventing a number of Stoke attacks, and continues to show that he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League. Man of the Match.

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Christian Atsu - 7

Recalled to the side after being dropped to the bench for the Magpies' clash with Swansea, he repaid his manager's faith with a well worked goal, his first in the Premier League, after Ritchie's superb ball which left the Ghanaian with near enough a tap in at the far post.

With Stoke aiming to target Newcastle's left hand side for the majority of the match, his defensive efforts were also tested, but he demonstrated his work ethic with a tenacious performance.

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Ayoze Perez - 7

The Spanish forward has not quite settled back into the pace of the Premier League, but this was without a doubt his best performance so far this season.

He was a willing runner up front, offering support down the flanks as well as through the centre, and worked well to find his own space, as well as create space for his team mates.

However his lack of goals or assists may have Benitez thinking about alternatives for that role, and Perez will have to up his game if he is to remain a guaranteed starter.

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Joselu - 4

The Spanish striker has enjoyed a bright start to his career at St James' Park, but he endured an off day in front of goal against his former side.

The first half saw the 27-year-old pass up a number of clear cut chances to net against the Potters and prove former manager Mark Hughes wrong.

Perhaps his best chance came at the start of the second half, blazing over from inside the box when it appeared to be easier to score. With Dwight Gayle breathing down his neck, his place in the starting XI could be under serious threat.

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Jonjo Shelvey - 6

Replaced fellow central midfielder Isaac Hayden with 20 minutes to play, in a bid to prove why he deserves to be reinstated to the starting XI. However he did not offer much to suggest that a change should be made by Benitez for their next match.

Dwight Gayle - 6

Gayle has struggled this season with both form and injuries, and game time will help. However, the few minutes he got were relatively quiet, as he failed to make any real mark on the game.

Mo Diame - 6

Brought on to see the game out, using his physicality to hustle and bustle the Stoke midfield into making mistakes during the final few minutes. Not much else to say.

In other Newcastle United news, this attacker has revealed why he snubbed the Magpies’ transfer pursuits over the summer.

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