Pressure on Pardew: what the papers say...

THE CHRONICLE: Mike Ashley faces a big decision after Alan Pardew's Magpies crash again. He would be taking the biggest gamble of his Newcastle United tenure if he sticks with under-pressure Pardew.

THE JOURNAL: Club owner Mike Ashley is set to have crisis talks with his manager and it could mark the end of Pardew’s four-year stint.

THE TELEGRAPH: After Newcastle's latest collapse, it is time for Mike Ashley to put Alan Pardew out of his misery? The Newcastle United owner claimed his threat to sack the manager was a joke - for everybody's sake, it would be better if he were serious.

THE TIMES: It was difficult to tell what was louder at the Britannia Stadium last night: the clap of thunder that could be heard midway through the first half or the vitriol directed by Newcastle United followers towards Alan Pardew. Either way, Peter Crouch’s first-half header pushed the Newcastle manager closer to the St James’ Park exit door.

DAILY MAIL: Alan Pardew was still absorbing the impact of Peter Crouch’s goal when lightning flashed over the Britannia Stadium and the rumble of thunder drowned the sound of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’. Another defeat reopens the debate over his future.

THE GUARDIAN: Alan Pardew vowed to keep on fighting but has also conceded that there is a “big question mark” about his future as Newcastle United manager after a 1-0 defeat at Stoke City left them joint-bottom of the Premier League.