Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 2 – late goals devastate Eagles at Selhurst Park

BY SAM SMITH

Goals in the final two minutes by Callum Wilson and Joelinton condemned Crystal Palace to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United at Selhurst Park.

As the Eagles threw bodies forward in search of a winner, with the game goalless, the visitors counter-attacked devastatingly. Wilson latched on to his strike partner’s pass to finish, before Joelinton netted himself fewer than 90 seconds later.

Palace had chances to win the game – but their lack of conviction encapsulated a bad week.

The game was tight and cagey until Christian Benteke’s introduction midway through the second half seemed to turn the match in Palace’s favour.

Both sides created chances during the opening period. Joelinton struck wide before testing Vicente Guaita from distance. Jamal Lewis also tested the Spaniard, while Newcastle’s Karl Darlow denied thumping efforts from Eberechi Eze and Jeffrey Schlupp.

The Magpies were the better side until Benteke replaced Jordan Ayew on 66 minutes. Wilson headed inches wide in the early exchanges of the second half.

Benteke gave Palace a focal point in attack that they lacked with Schlupp and Ayew leading the attack in the first half. The Belgian fired wide before having a powerful header well saved by Darlow. He also started an attack from which Cheikhou Kouyate had an effort well blocked by Frederico Fernandez.

Patrick van Aanholt lashed an effort across goal as the South Londoners asserted their authority on a game they perhaps should have won.

Substitute Michy Batshuayi joined his countryman on the pitch and as Palace swarmed forward, Newcastle picked them apart.

Joelinton drove forward on 88 minutes and fed Wilson, who bore down on Guaita’s goal and slotted the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs.

A second counter-attack followed a minute later, which ended with Joelinton turning too easily past Scott Dann and sliding home via a deflection off Gary Cahill.

This defeat follows a poor performance in a 1-0 loss at Burnley on Monday. Palace have now been beaten three times in their last four games – they travel to struggling West Brom next Sunday.