Demba Ba has revealed he was delighted to score a hat-trick against the club who rejected the chance to sign him a year ago.
The Senegalese striker scored all the goals as Newcastle beat Stoke 3-1 at the Britannia tonight to climb to third in the Premier League.
Ironically, Ba was close to joining Stoke last Januray but Tony Pulis was reluctant to sign the striker due to his sketchy injury record.
"I wanted them to sign me but they did not want to sign me," Ba told Sky Sports .
"So today I am very happy to score a hat-trick here because it is a place where it is difficult to come and have a win."
Ba joined Newcastle on a free transfer from West Ham in the summer and has scored eight goals in the league so far this campaign.