Callum Wilson’s stunning overhead kick earned Newcastle their first point under new ownership, drawing 1-1 with a wasteful Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
It had been another turbulent week for Newcastle, having dismissed Steve Bruce on Wednesday and placing his assistant Graeme Jones in interim charge for the next two games.
It was a tough assignment at Selhurst Park too, with Crystal Palace unbeaten at home under Patrick Vieira this season. The hosts dominated the first half, but had little to show for it at the break. Christian Benteke had nodded onto the post in the first of a plethora of missed chances.
After another miss early in the second half, Benteke did finally make the breakthrough when he deservedly nodded Palace ahead (56). But their lead lasted less than 10 minutes when an incredible, acrobatic overhead kick from Wilson (65) – similar to another Benteke effort – hauled Newcastle level.
Jones’ side looked to have more about them after the goal and arguably had their best spell in attack, but Benteke thought he had won it for Crystal Palace when he again nodded past Karl Darlow in the 87th minute. But VAR ruled it out for a foul, with Marc Guehi guilty of pulling Ciaran Clark’s shirt.
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The feisty encounter ultimately ended in the points shared, with Newcastle starting the post-Bruce era with a hard-fought draw. It seems them remain in 19th with four points. Crystal Palace have now drawn their last four Premier League games, and they drop down one place into 15th.
Newcastle battle to point at Palace
Crystal Palace began well and could have scored after 22 seconds. Emil Krafth failed to control the ball at the top of the area, allowing Odsonne Edouard to drive down the left. His fizzed cross was seen away at the goal mouth, but only landing as far as Benteke. However, his effort skied into the Holmesdale End from close range.
Newcastle saw their chances too, with Allan Saint-Maximin’s early header an easy collection for Vicente Guaita. They went a lot closer though as Matt Ritchie’s free-kick was nodded down by Jamaal Lascelles. Krafth hooked it goalwards, but Guehi was there to clear. It fell to Wilson on the right, but he could only find the side of the net with his effort.
Crystal Palace again had a glorious chance just after the 20-minute mark. Michael Olise, who scored against Leicester in the last game at Selhurst Park, sent in a wonderful cross from the right. Benteke nodded it goalwards, but the ball smacked the far post. Tyrick Mitchell was there to collect, but his own effort was palmed behind by Karl Darlow as the hosts inexplicably remained without a goal.
But for all of their possession – seeing 78.5 per cent of the ball – and some good football, Crystal Palace were only able to muster one shot on target as they went into the break goalless.
The hosts began the second half in the same fashion and Benteke soon missed his second gilt-edged chance of the afternoon. It was some wonderful play down the right, with Gallagher delivering an inviting cross. Benteke steadied himself for an overhead kick, but his effort lifted just over the crossbar.
But soon after, Benteke finally got his goal. Connor Gallagher did well to hold the ball up, before picking out Mitchell down the left. It was a wonderful cross in from the 20-year-old, which the Crystal Palace striker rose to meet and powered a header past Darlow to deservedly see the hosts ahead.
After waiting so long for a goal, Crystal Palace’s lead lasted less than 10 minutes. It was an unstoppable goal from Wilson though, with Lascelles nodding down the delivery towards the back post. Krafth also inadvertently helped it on, as Wilson unleashed an incredible overhead kick that powered past Guaita’s fingertips and into the top corner.
Benteke will be left to rue a string of missed chances as he again wasted a glorious effort in the 72nd minute. He was sent through with a lovely pass, but having beaten the defenders and with a gap of space open just ahead of him, he could only poke the ball wide from mere inches away.
The striker thought he scored the winner in the 87th minute. A corner was delivered and Benteke thundered a header home, wheeling away in a rapturous celebration. But the joy was short-lived as VAR intervened, sending referee Darren England over to the screen. They spotted a foul from Guehi on Clark and the goal was correctly ruled out.
Man of the match – James McArthur
It was a good performance from McArthur in midfield. He marshalled it well, winning back possession 10 times and making a team-high two tackles. He seemed to constantly be at the top of the box, spraying passes down the wings for Crystal Palace to create.
What’s next?
Crystal Palace are on their travels next Saturday when they face Manchester City in the Premier League. For Newcastle, they welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park on the same day. Both games kick-off at 3pm.