It is one win in 13 for Newcastle United and had there been 50,000 Geordies inside St. James’ Park the assumption is they would have let Steve Bruce know all about that. Crystal Palace are hardly known for their away form.
But that may not have been the reaction because even in defeat, Newcastle revealed more intent and organisation than in several games this season when they have won.
So while Roy Hodgson’s players took the points, for Bruce there was some consolation. Still, it was disappointing after such a bright start. Jonjo Shelvey opened the scoring after just 70 seconds and Newcastle could have had another two at least in a buoyant first-half display.
But they were 2-1 down at the interval due to a deflected equaliser from Jairo Riedewald and Gary Cahill’s first Premier League goal for almost four years. After that Palace, determined and deep, coped with the home efforts. Vicente Guaita in goal and Scott Dann in front of him gave the visitors their platform. The Londoners are up to a most respectable 29 points.
The nature of the Magpies’ tight, energetic performance at Goodison Park lifted the mood on Tyneside as much the two goals from Wilson. The club had a calmer tone coming into this and the freshness Bruce had spoken of with the introduction of Graeme Jones to the coaching staff was maintained by a brisk Geordie start on a brisk Geordie night.
Only a minute had gone when Shelvey struck. Newcastle built a swift attack down their left, Ryan Fraser supplying a clever header to Miguel Almiron who showed equal skill to lift the ball over Scott Dann. When Almiron’s cross came in, Wilson controlled the ball on his chest then teed it up for the oncoming Shelvey. He did well to keep his shot down and it beat Vicente Guaita as it made for the bottom corner.
Bruce’s smile on the touchline told a story. His grin would have grown had an improvised poke from Jeff Hendrick slid in seven minutes later. It floated a few inches wide from a Fraser corner.
This was better from Newcastle. With Wilson again lively and willing, Almiron working tirelessly and Fraser offering width on he left, there was shape and purpose. Wilson almost made it 2-0 with a scorpion kick from a Fraser cross on 18 minutes.
Gradually, though, Palace began to build. There was a dangerous header from Jordan Ayew and on 21 minutes Riedewald equalised with a fierce drive from 20 yards that took a late deflection off Ciaran Clark to beat Karl Darlow. It was a goal created by a smart one-two between Patrick van Aanholt and the impressive Eberechi Eze.
Four minutes later, the 22 year-old supplied a fast free-kick from the Palace right. Cahill was at the far post initially, marked by Fabian Schar. As Ebe struck the ball, however, Cahill darted to the near post, Schar was blocked, and Cahill met the centre with a powerful header.
Had Newcastle been demoralised it would have shown. Instead they maintained their tempo and Fraser had a decent snapshot on the half hour held by Guaita. Not long after, Wilson beat two men in midfield and delivered a great pass to Fraser who had nipped in behind the Palace defence. This was a real opportunity but Guaita raced from his line, narrowed the angle and Fraser was unable to beat him.
Parity would have given Bruce’s side options in the second half. But now they had to press and while they did, the visitors could think of counters. It was a thoughtful contest.
Palace lost Wilfried Zaha to an apparent hamstring strain; Newcastle sent on Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman’s first serious contribution came soon, a burst from the centre circle that had Palace backtracking and Wilson sniffing a chance. Saint-Maximin found him but just as Wilson was poised to strike, in came Nathaniel Clyne. It was a most timely intervention by the defender.
There were to be a few more from his colleagues, notably from Dann. Hodgson could be pleased with his two banks of four, though he was flabbergasted when substitute Andros Townsend missed a 90th minute sitter.
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