Newcastle United secured a vital three points at St James' Park on Sunday, defeating Crystal Palace 2-0 in a hard-fought Premier League encounter. The victory, inspired by Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, marks a second consecutive league win for Eddie Howe's side.
Deadlock Broken by Brazilian Brilliance
The match, played on Sunday 04 January 2026, was a tense affair for large periods. Newcastle had the ball in the net twice in the first half, but both efforts from Anthony Gordon and Joelinton were correctly ruled out for offside after VAR reviews.
Crystal Palace, with £35million debutant Brennan Johnson showing flashes of promise, grew into the game and created chances of their own. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Will Hughes both went close, but the Eagles failed to truly test Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute. After Lewis Miley redirected a Harvey Barnes cross back across goal, Bruno Guimaraes arrived with perfect timing to head home from close range. It was the Brazilian's seventh goal of the season and a crucial moment in the contest.
Thiaw Seals the Deal for Magpies
Palace keeper Dean Henderson did well to deny Barnes with a sharp save shortly after, but from the resulting corner, the game was put to bed. Guimaraes delivered a dangerous set-piece which Henderson could only palm into a dangerous area. German defender Malick Thiaw was quickest to react, stabbing the ball home from a few yards out to double Newcastle's lead.
The second goal confirmed a 2-0 victory and, significantly, provided Newcastle with their first clean sheet in 13 matches. The win is a positive start to a demanding schedule that will see the Magpies play nine games in the space of 28 days this month.
Howe's Men Build Momentum
While the scoreline suggests comfort, the match was a competitive battle in midfield. Sandro Tonali and Joelinton were influential for the hosts, while Adam Wharton and Will Hughes worked tirelessly for the visitors. The result, however, was ultimately decided by Newcastle's clinical edge in the final twenty minutes.
For Crystal Palace, it was a case of promising build-up play without a decisive finish. They will rue not making more of their periods of possession, especially before Guimaraes's opener. For Eddie Howe and Newcastle, this is a platform to build upon as they navigate a congested fixture list, banking the points with a professional performance at a packed St James' Park.
