Stoke City boss Tony Pulis admits victory over Birmingham City has lifted great pressure off the club.
They went into the contest on the back of a five-game losing streak - including four league fixtures and a Carling Cup defeat at West Ham - and Pulis admitted there was great relief among the players after referee Mark Clattenburg blew for full time last night.
"I think people don't realise that in our last five games, we have played four away from home and the one we had at home was against Manchester United, so it has been a tough run for us," Pulis said.
"When you are on a run like this you need a result and it's important that the players stick together and you see it through.
"There was relief in the dressing room afterwards. It will take a massive weight off their shoulders."
