Newcastle United found their edge after the interval at Selhurst Park, leaving south London with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in a meeting of two sides looking to move away from the lower reaches of the table.
The first half had offered little separation, despite Palace nearly taking an early lead. Jean-Philippe Mateta was presented with a loose ball inside the area in the third minute, but could not produce a clean finish from close range with the goalkeeper in front of him.
Quick facts
- Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park.
- William Osula opened the scoring in the 47th minute from Jacob Murphy’s cross.
- A Joelinton pass set up Joe Willock for a finish five minutes later, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
- Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s second in the 58th minute after a Palace turnover.
- Osorio tested Newcastle goalkeeper Hornicek with a powerful 71st-minute shot.
Palace carried slightly more attacking intent before the break, but neither team established control or created a steady flow of chances. The match remained goalless at half-time, with caution outweighing ambition in a congested opening period.
Newcastle returned with greater purpose and struck within two minutes of the restart. Murphy delivered into the box and Osula met the ball first time, driving his finish past Walter Benítez without allowing it to bounce.
The visitors thought they had doubled the lead soon afterwards when Willock ran onto Joelinton’s through ball and finished, only for the offside flag to deny him. Newcastle continued to press their advantage, however, and the second goal arrived in the 58th minute.
Palace lost possession and Newcastle worked the ball out to Dedic on the right. His pull-back found Barnes arriving unmarked, and the forward had time to place his shot for 2-0.
With the deficit established, Palace began to commit more players forward. Osorio produced their clearest response in the 71st minute, his forceful left-footed effort requiring an impressive save from Hornicek.
The home side kept searching for a route back into the contest but lacked the final pass and finishing touch. Newcastle protected their two-goal margin to the end, their sharp start to the second half proving decisive in a difficult afternoon for Palace.
