Match report and free highlights as Callum Wilson and Joelinton score twice in final two minutes to end Newcastle's two-game losing streak; Joelinton ends 16-game wait for goal and assist as Newcastle leapfrog Palace into 10th
Saturday 28 November 2020 07:27, UK
Callum Wilson and Joelinton scored late goals as Newcastle returned to winning ways with a 2-0 smash-and-grab victory at Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Just when Palace and Newcastle looked destined for a stalemate at Selhurst Park, Joelinton's clever flick released Wilson through on goal, and the striker marked his return from his hamstring injury with a composed finish through the legs of Vicente Guaita to give the Magpies the lead two minutes from time.
Palace's faint hopes of salvaging anything from the game were extinguished in the final minute as Joelinton made up for a host of earlier missed chances when his shot deflected in off Gary Cahill to seal the Newcastle victory.
Joelinton's late exploits saw the striker end a run of 16 games without a Premier League goal or assist with both, as Steve Bruce's side leapfrogged Roy Hodgson's Palace up to 10th in the table ahead of the weekend's fixtures.
Newcastle were quick out of the traps as they set about atoning for their abject defeat to Chelsea. Wilson nearly gave the visitors the perfect start, but Cahill's last-gasp challenge prevented the returning striker from turning Miguel Almiron's cross in at the near post.
Newcastle may have been able to convert their early dominance into goals, but their openings continued to fall for out-of-form striker Joelinton, who drew Guaita into action with one shot but lacked conviction.
Palace woke from their early slumber midway through the half but found Karl Darlow in inspired form, with the Magpies' stopper parrying Eberechi Eze's bullet shot away before tipping Jeffrey Schlupp's near-post drive behind.
The Eagles were very nearly architects of their own downfall as Scott Dann's wayward pass on the edge of the box gifted Joelinton another scoring opportunity, but again his finishing was found wanting as Guaita's save saw Palace through the break.
Cahill sent a header over and Jordan Ayew trickled a shot wide early in the second half, but it wasn't enough for Hodgson to resist turning to his substitutes, with Christian Benteke and Jairo Riedewald called upon.
That prompted Bruce to turn to his bench, with the newly-introduced Matt Ritchie sending a perfect ball in for Joelinton on 72 minutes, but the striker's mis-timed jump and header saw another chance go begging.
Ritchie then rifled a thunderous effort straight at Guaita from a free-kick after Sean Longstaff was brought down on the edge of the box by Dann at the end of a marauding run.
Benteke drew another fine save from Darlow with a towering header before a brave Federico Fernandez block prevented Cheikhou Kouyate's volley from finding the net.
The game looked destined for a draw as Patrick van Aanholt's cross-cum-shot flashed across the face of goal with five minutes remaining, but Newcastle had other ideas.
Joelinton held the ball up with two minutes remaining and slipped Wilson through on goal to slot Newcastle in front. And Wilson returned the favour 99 seconds later, as Joelinton was released to wrap up the victory with a deflected effort off Cahill - his first league goal of the season.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson told Amazon Prime: "All defeats hurt and this one hurts; we didn't play well enough to win it, but I didn't think we were going to lose it. So to lose it is a bitter blow.
"Their goalkeeper played his part as one expects him to do. But it's too simplistic to say we didn't win because of him. We didn't win because we didn't create chances or play well enough."
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce told Amazon Prime: "The two centre-forwards on the pitch are scoring goals and that always helps. We created a few opportunities but didn't have that little bit of quality in the final third, but the little bit of quality they did put together they both scored from each other.
"Winning late is not a bad trait to have. It's been a difficult week, but the players have responded in the right way."
It really didn't look like it would be Joelinton or Newcastle's night, as they weathered constant Palace pressure and the Brazilian squandered chance after presentable chance.
But, with seconds remaining, Joelinton gave a timely reminder of why Newcastle spent all that money on him in the first place, as brilliant centre-forward play set up Wilson for the opener before he put the seal on a morale-boosting team and personal performance with his first league goal of the season.
Wilson's late strike laid the foundations for Newcastle's win, but it was Joelinton's late impact that will have given Newcastle renewed hope in their big-money striker.
Newcastel travel to Aston Villa on Friday Night Football at 8pm - live on Sky Sports Premier League - before Crystal Palace head to West Brom on Super Sunday at 12pm - live on Sky Sports Premier League.
