A superb free-kick on the brink of half-time by Patrick van Aanholt sealed a first win in eight for Crystal Palace, in a game where they looked a shadow of their usual selves.
Individual Brilliance From Patrick van Aanholt Seals Much-Needed Win for Crystal Palace
Deserved Win
Palace grafted, and eventually grounded out the win; however, it was not in their usual fashion.
Time and time again this season they have been lacklustre in attack. Roy Hodgson’s side would venture forward with little threat, over-reliant on a Wilfried Zaha being marked out of the game. Yet, against a Newcastle United side who had potential to frustrate Palace with their willingness to sit-back, the home side showed their attacking strength. Arguably, they could have had more than their solitary goal.
Headed efforts by defenders Gary Cahill and Scott Dann in the opening 15 minutes could have put the Eagles well on course to a more comfortable victory had it not been for Martin Dubravka. The Newcastle goalkeeper was at full stretch to save the first from Cahill, while quick reactions saw him stop the second from Dann.
Five minutes later and it was Christian Benteke‘s turn to try and put the home side ahead. It was a glorious opportunity, one that should have found the back of the net. Had the Belgian not been lacking in confidence, it would have been a certain goal; he cushioned it perfectly, but could not direct his attempt at target.
As Palace’s uncharacteristic high-press continued, angst grew among the home supporters. They had this type of performance follow a similar pattern before, seeing the away side earn a victory through a late counter-attack. But they persisted and saw reward with the only goal of the came coming just before the breakthrough Van Aanholt.
The second half saw neither side stir major excitement. Palace were rebuffed in their efforts to find a second – man of the match Jordan Ayew saw a glorious chance to make it 2-0 in 71st minute, but his chance joined a catalogue of saves for Dubravka.
Concerns For Dreadful Newcastle
Steve Bruce’s side were simply not at races at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. Two shots on target – both of which were from long-range – will offer a great cause of concern for the Magpies boss.
Allan Saint-Maximin was the best outfield player for the Magpies, but his attacking threat came with little substance. The Frenchman failed to register a shot on target and was kept quiet by his opposing number Joel Ward.
Before kick-off, the goals column in the table showed neither where significant scorers. While it will remain that way even after the final whistle, Palace showed why they are likely not to be dragged into the relegation fight. The same, however, can not be same for Newcastle.
The next four games could prove vital for Steve Bruce’s side. Three out of the four come at home – where they have collected 20 of their 31 points – against Burnley, Sheffield United and Aston Villa retrospectively. Failure to win any of them, and it could be a nervous wait until the end of the season.
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