Androws Townsend's stunning free-kick was enough to earn victory for Rafa Benitez's side at St James' Park
Karl Darlow made a magnificent penalty save from Newcastle old boy Yohan Cabaye as Rafa Benitez's side climbed out of the relegation zone.
The third choice keeper was United's hero as Andros Townsend's brilliant goal sealed the points.
Townsend scored after 59 minutes with a screamer of a free kick, after he was fouled on the edge of the box by Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann. But the penalty was the turning point.
Referee Mike Dean awarded the kick for a Moussa Sissoko handball as he challenged Connor Wickham.
Wickham got his head to the ball and none of the visitors appealed for the penalty.
Dean awarded it and replays showed the decision was highly debatable.
1. Newcastle's chances of avoiding relegation now?
Vastly improved, although they also need to win at Aston Villa next week to put the pressure on rivals Sunderland and Norwich.
Newcastle are out of the bottom three but Sunderland have a game in hand, and Norwich play this evening.
In the past few games Newcastle have battled out two good draws and a win against Swansea. This victory was crucial in cementing that good form.
The Great Escape is on, but still far from guaranteed.
2. How is the Rafa revolution?
Before kick off Benitez had been in charge of seven games and overseen six points won.
Sacked Steve McClaren's last six games before he was sacked yielded... you guessed it, six points.
There is however, a vast change in attitude from Newcastle players since Benitez arrived.
And tactically he is getting the most out of a slightly limited, and confidence-shorn first team.
They'd have lost this game two months ago. Instead they stuck in, were tight and organised and fought for their lives.
3. How did Alan Pardew go down on his return to St James' Park?
The locals chose to ignore Pardew on his first game back on Tyneside since quitting as manager in December 2014.
There had been some debate over whether the crowd should give Pardew a hard time. There is certainly a vocal element who wanted him out, not least an anonymous group of fans who ran a campaign for him to be axed.
But the home crowd created a feisty atmosphere in support of Rafa and their team rather than dwell on past battles.
4. Did Palace look like they'd “been on the pop” celebrating their FA Cup final?
Certainly now. Whether Pardew and his team regarded that as a slight on their profesionalism is unknown, but the evidence here was they had a point to prove.
Palace had an effective game plan, were up for the fight, and certainly did all they could to win.
It can go either way when you have a final looming, but it appeared Palace are falling the right side of trying hard to win a place at Wembley, rather than stop trying in the league and avoid injury.
5. Yohan Cabaye versus Cheick Tiote?
Cabaye and Tiote formed a formidable partnership as team mates on Tyneside.
Cabaye quit for PSG and arguably has not been as effective as his Newcastle days, there or at Palace. He's only got two assists this season.
He got frustrated with the long balls Palace played first half, and had more of an influence after the break.
Tiote, however, was immense again. He has been revitalised by Benitez and had a battling game in central midfield.
He was particularly effective shutting off Connor Wickham's supply line.
PLAYER RATINGS
Newcastle
Darlow 9
Magnificent penalty save from Cabaye, and two other great stops.
Anita 8
Targetted by long balls into corner. Coped well.
Lascelles 7
Brilliant goal saving tackle on Wickham first half.
Mbemba 7
Booked after 6 minutes for foul on Bolasie.
Dummett 7
Solid under attack.
Tiote 8
Job was to rough up Wickham when long balls were hit.
Townsend 8
Goal: Ran his socks off and opened scoring with brilliant free kick.
Sissoko 7
A few driving runs, otherwise quiet.
Colback 7
Booked Scraps and wins second balls to give United some control.
Wijnaldum 6
Needs a magic moment.
Cisse 6
Ball bounced back off him too many times.
Subs:
Mitrovic (Cisse 70).
Perez (Wijnaldum80).
Not used: De Jong, Shelvey, Taylor, Woodman, Mbabu.
Crystal Palace
Hennessey 6
Made good save from Wijnaldum.
Ward 6
Swung in some good crosses.
Dann 6
Powerhouse defender shackled Cisse.
Delaney 6
Launched attacks with hoofs forward.
Soare 6
Mobile and skillful left back helping Bolasie.
Cabaye 6
Crucial penalty miss helped his former side.
Jedinak 6
Magnificent beard adds gto his presence.
Puncheon 6
Not as involved as Bolasie on opposite flank.
Bolasie 7
Star man with a trick and pace.
McArthur 6
Supports Wickham at the breakdown.
Wickham 6
The fulcrum of Palace's long ball game.
Subs:
Sako (McArthur 60).
Adebayor (Wickham 74).
Gayle (Puncheon 74).
Not used: Mariapa, McCarthy, Ledley, Kelly.
Referee: Mike Dean.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário