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Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle 1 – Brilliant Wilson overhead kick (and VAR!) saves the day

2 years ago
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Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 23 October 3pm

Graeme Jones going with a five man defence after a horrendous 19 goals conceded in eight Premier League games under Steve Bruce this season.

Fraser and Krafth surprising selections for most Newcastle fans.

Newcastle looking to keep it tight and Palace having a lot of early possession, however, it was Newcastle with the early chances.

On nine minutes, Allan Saint-Maximin putting a header just wide of the right post, Ryan Fraser with the cross.

Five minutes later and after Emil Krafth put a shot wide of the post after a set-piece, Callum Wilson then put a header not far wide shortly afterwards.

However, on 20 minutes Palace should have gone ahead, an excellent cross from the right side saw Benteke lose Krafth but put his free header against the post from only six yards out.

Palace then started to turn the screw and Newcastle forced into some scrambled defending but no doubting the commitment of those in black and white under the new interim manager.

It was turning into a feisty affair with both teams up for it and the referee letting a lot of dubious challenges going, either not giving free-kicks, or indeed the odd yellow card. Though both Palace’s Ward and Newcastle’s Wilson were booked after a tussle towards the dugout, Andersen already booked earlier as well.

Loan signing Gallagher running the show for Palace and how Newcastle could do with a playmaker in a similar mould, under Vieira the home side looking far better going forward, with summer buy Edouard also looking a threat up front.

Newcastle largely relying on ASM and Wilson on the break to provide a threat and on 39 minutes winning consecutive corners after Wilson set ASM away and he was halted by a last ditch tackle and out for a corner. Manquillo and Ritchie looking to get forward when they could in their wing-back roles but with Palace dominating possession that didn’t happen too often.

Goalless at the break and Graeme Jones halfway towards the clean sheet he was clearly targeting, only 21% possession for the black and whites!

As the second half kicked off, I recalled one (well, two) of the pre-match stats that had circulated…

Nine of Crystal Palace’s 10 Premier League goals this season have been scored in the second half, the highest ratio in the division.

Whilst no team have let in more Premier League goals after half-time than Newcastle United, with 11 this season.

Here’s hoping those stats were set to be confounded…

Palace giving Newcastle some marginal encouragement gifting possession but it was the home side with the first chance after the break, Gallagher’s cross from the right volleyed over by Benteke.

A long ball then created chaos, as Lascelles appeared to push a Palace player over but went unpunished, whilst then Darlow a split second later collided with Clark as he rushed out of his box to head away. Newcastle surviving but living a bit on the edge.

Maybe a goal was coming and when it did arrive on 55 minutes it wasn’t great defending. Gallagher initiated the move and Manquillo allowing too much space for a cross from Newcastle’s right and Darlow should almost certainly have come for it as Benteke scored from only around five yards out with a header as he climbed above the centre-backs.

As Newcastle fans were looking for more attacking options to hopefully arrive from the bench, on 62 minutes Ritchie poor as he allowed a cross from our left side and it was just a little bit too high as Benteke hit the bar and not the back of the net again.

With Newcastle subs set to come on…Back down the other end, win a corner, ball flying about and Wilson brilliant overhead kick into top corner!

Willock and Almiron then replacing Longstaff and Fraser.

Newcastle then getting on top for five minutes or so for the first time in the match but on 72 minutes some shocking defending in the middle saw a pass through on the ground and Benteke left one on one with Darlow, somehow missing the target from eight yards out.

Palace well back on top and on 77 minutes a pass into Benteke who turned and thankfully shot straight at Darlow.

With five minutes left on the clock and a scramble in the box ended with a desperate block and out for a corner.

However, Newcastle relief only shortlived, a right wing corner saw poor United defending and Benteke bullet header into the net…what is this though, VAR asks the referee to look at the pitchside monitor and disallowed for a foul! Benteke ending up with a yellow card for complaining instead of a goal!

Five minutes of added time and the atmosphere pretty good from both sets of fans.

Willock and Almiron definitely a positive after coming on, especially tracking back. Joelinton also doing his bit when coming on.

A corner in the final minute of added time but Lascelles not getting proper contact and the chance gone.

Final whistle and the home fans booing the referee but in reality Benteke was their biggest villain despite scoring, he could and should have had a hat-trick.

As for Newcastle, they (although ASM not on one of his going days…) certainly gave it everything for Graeme Jones and the fans but indebted to Callum Wilson for a superb goal out of nothing.

I think clearly massive for Newcastle not to lose today and plenty worse teams than Palace this season.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 23 October 3pm

Goals:

Palace

Benteke 56

Newcastle:

Wilson 65

(In brackets the first half stats)

Possession was Palace 75% (79%) Newcastle 25% (21%)

Total shots were Palace 14 (4)  Newcastle 6 (3)

Shots on target were Palace 3 (1) Newcastle 2 (1)

Corners were Palace 3 (1) Newcastle 7 (2)

Referee: Darren England

Crowd: 24,609 (NUFC 3,000)

Newcastle United:

Darlow, Manquillo, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie, Hayden, Sean Longstaff (Willock 66), Fraser (Almiron 66), Saint-Maximin (Joelinton 81), Wilson

Unused Subs:

Gillespie, Schar, Lewis, Hendrick, Murphy, Gayle

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