Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle United: Callum Wilson and Joelinton score late

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says they are starting to see the real Joelinton after the forward participated in two late goals in a win at Crystal Palace.

It was his first goal of the season in the Premier League and a third at the top flight since joining Newcastle for a club record of £ 40 million in July last year.

“Sometimes it takes time, no matter the price,” Bruce said.

“In Joe’s case, the price tag and the number nine shirt meant he was in trouble at times.

“But the boy wants to do well. He had many opportunities tonight, but we are starting to see him now with his strength.”

The former Hoffenheim striker had 16 Premier League games without a goal or an assist, before scoring one of each in Friday’s victory, pushing Newcastle to 10th on the table.

“There is no question that Joelinton has found it difficult,” added Bruce. “But I have said many times that some take a little longer than others. We are delighted that he scored a goal.”

Palace seemed more prone to breaking the deadlock and the visitors had goalkeeper Karl Darlow to thank for keeping them in the game.

He saved well from substitute Christian Benteke’s powerful header after making a clever save to avoid Jeffrey Schlupp’s left-foot angle effort, while Patrick van Aanholt made a deflected shot.

The result moves Newcastle to tenth place on the table, while Palace slides to thirteenth place.

Joelinton’s hard work pays off

Bruce’s team at Newcastle had failed to score in their previous two outings, but looked much more expansive to start in South London on Friday.

Joelinton had four shots in the first 20 minutes, as many as he had previously in any game this season, and the best chance of the half fell to him before the break.

The careless defense of the hosts allowed the Brazilian to engineer a low effort on goal, but it was easily picked up by Guaita and the Magpies entered the break without being able to score in the first half of 20 of their last 26 Premier League matches.

Newcastle looked ready to go three games in a row without a goal as they were increasingly tied, but the breakthrough finally came as Joelinton combined superbly with fellow forward Wilson.

His pass sent the England forward to goal and Wilson slipped an effort under Palace keeper Vicente Guaita to open the scoring with two minutes remaining.

The 24-year-old scored the goal his hard work deserved moments later, beating Guaita with a left-foot effort after Wilson returned the favor with an assist.

Palace rue missed opportunities

Palace boss Roy Hodgson named a team with 2,068 Premier League appearances between them, the most for any team in a game this season, but the experience could not be turned into goals at Selhurst Park.

The hosts were again left without the Wilfried Zaha talisman, self-isolated after a positive Covid test, and instead relied on the ingenuity of England Under-21 international Eberechi Eze as their creative outlet.

It was the 22-year-old who forced Darlow to make his first save in the 25th minute and the Newcastle keeper lived up to everything Palace could muster after that.

The versatile Schlupp, playing as a center forward with renowned forwards Benteke and Michy Batshuayi among the substitutes, squeezed a pass in the way of attacking partner Jordan Ayew after the break, but the Ghana international swerved.

Hodgson threw his forwards off the bench in search of a winner and Benteke fired wide and saw a good header off the ground, before left-back Van Aanholt had a chance to win it.

But Palace was hit on the other end, and his struggles without Zaha continue, with this his 21st loss of the 29 games he has missed since 2014.

However, they will be encouraged by the news that their next home game, against Tottenham on Sunday 13 December, will be see the return of 2,000 fans in Selhurst Park.

‘I thought it was going to cost us’

Bruce, the Newcastle manager, speaking to BBC Sport: “Both teams have a hard time scoring a goal and we were looking for that little bit of quality. We were not clinical enough and I thought it was going to cost us, but then we got it for goals.

“Callum [Wilson] He is a scorer and has that instinct. That’s his seventh goal now and it’s a tremendous comeback. “

Crystal Palace Chief, Hodgson: “All defeats hurt and this one did it because we didn’t play well. I didn’t think we were going to lose; I didn’t think we were going to win either. So losing it is a bitter blow. Congratulations to Newcastle on winning it.

“I would give credit to the entire Newcastle team. The goalkeeper did his part, but I think it’s too simplistic to say we didn’t win because of his goalkeeper. We didn’t believe enough.”

Wilson key to Newcastle attack – the statistics

• Newcastle have won five of their last nine Premier League away games in London, following a three-win streak in 24 games.
• Since the start of the 2017-18 season, Crystal Palace has failed to score in 45 Premier League games, more than any other club.
• Palace have lost their last seven Premier League games when they had more than 50% possession.
• Newcastle forward Callum Wilson has been directly involved in nine goals in nine Premier League appearances for the club (seven goals, two assists).
• Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 17 Premier League matches without Wilfried Zaha (losing 15).
• The average age of Palace’s starting eleven was 30 years 182 days, the oldest of any team in a Premier League game this season.

Whats Next?

Newcastle will travel to Aston Villa next Friday (20:00 GMT), while Crystal Palace will visit West Brom for a week on Sunday (12:00).

• This weekend, watch 13 matches from the second round of the FA Cup on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app. Find out more here.