Stoke City improves mid-table position with win over Watford

Stoke scored a goal in each half to move further away from the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Watford on Tuesday.

STOKE, England (AP) — Stoke scored a goal in each half to move further away from the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Watford on Tuesday.

Stoke applied all the first-half pressure and was rewarded on the stroke of halftime when Ryan Shawcross pounced on a corner from Charlie Adam to rifle home a half-volley. Adam was also behind Stoke's second, whipping over a cross from the left flank that evaded Watford defender Sebastian Prodl and struck Peter Crouch before flying into the net in the 49th minute.

Stoke moved up to mid-table safety at 11th in the standings on 24 points, nine above the drop zone. Watford is 14th on 22 points.