Newcastle United have extended their unbeaten run to four after a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
The hosts took the lead after a fast start. Andros Townsend was brought down by Scott Dann and then stepped up to curl an effort into the top corner.
Palace had the chance to get back level from the penalty spot. Moussa Sissoko gave away the spot kick after his hand struck Yohan Cabaye’s cross. The former Newcastle midfielder had his effort saved by Karl Darlow, sending the Geordies faithful into raptures.
Fan footage of Andros Townsend's class free-kick… pic.twitter.com/1iixdeEu45
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) April 30, 2016
Newcastle will be looking to continue their late season run when they travel to take on relegated Aston Villa while Crystal Palace returns home to take on Stoke City.
Inefficiency cost Palace
Crystal Palace had some really good chances throughout, with Yannick Bolasie was at the centre of much of it. A couple of times the Congolese winger was in the position where shots were taken from outside the box which forced Darlow into saves but never put the Newcastle goalkeeper under real pressure.
Cabaye was also guilty late in the game for not keeping his head. After he missed the penalty his head dropped and late in the game he went the selfish route taking on a shot from range that was never likely to trouble the goal.
The entire team was on a whole it seemed they were a step behind the flow of the game in attack and that was shown when Jason Puncheon had a chance in the early stages of the match that he could not convert.
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Both goalkeepers kept their teams in the match
Darlow played a starring role in saving Cabaye’s penalty, as well a s being generally solid throughout.
It was a really solid performance from someone who is effectively a third choice after Tim Krul and Rob Elliot succumbed to injury. With the pair not returning before the end of the season it is a boost for supporters knowing that they have a competent goalkeeper leading into the end of the season.
Wayne Hennessey would go down as the man of the match for Alan Pardew’s side as he produced some top quality saves when the hosts were pushing hard to extend their lead in the second half.
Palace’s strange approach neither pretty nor effective
The way that Crystal Palace went about playing the game seemed to go against what their strength is. For much of the season it has been a noted part of the Palace game to use the speed of Bolasie to create chances. However, to prevent Newcastle from gaining any momentum and at the same time riling up opposition supporters, Palace employed time wasting tactics. Incidentally, they did not work.
Win gives Newcastle more belief in their quest to avoid the drop
As it stands, the win for Newcastle has lifted them above rival Sunderland who were only able to draw with Stoke, while Norwich lost 1-0 to Arsenal.
Both of those teams have a game in hand, with only two points separating 19th placed Norwich and Newcastle who now sit in 17th so it could come down to the final day to see who avoids the drop.
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