Newcastle United kicked off what manager Eddie Howe described as a "season-defining" January with a hard-fought 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at St James' Park. Goals from Bruno Guimarães and Malick Thiaw in the final quarter of the game broke the resistance of a stubborn Palace side, extending the visitors' winless run to seven matches across all competitions.
A Chaotic and Untidy Encounter
The match, contested by the holders of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, was far from a classic. Played in bitter, icy conditions on Tyneside, the game was characterised by its untidy and often chaotic nature. Despite the pitch being protected by undersoil heating, neither side could establish sustained control or fluency in a disjointed first half.
Newcastle created the first clear chance when Fabian Schär's header was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The home side then thought they had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon, only for a VAR review to correctly rule Yoane Wissa offside in the build-up. At the other end, Palace's best opportunity fell to Will Hughes, who played a slick one-two with Yeremy Pino before dragging a presentable shot wide, leaving manager Oliver Glasner visibly frustrated.
Palace Resistance Finally Broken
The second half saw the game become increasingly open. Palace, organised and resistant, continued to fray the connection between Newcastle's players and their increasingly restless supporters. A fine pass from Adam Wharton sent Brennan Johnson through, but his shot was well repelled by Nick Pope.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute. Bruno Guimarães powered a header home from close range after a cross from Harvey Barnes and a clever cutback from the impressive stand-in right-back, Lewis Miley. The relief around St James' Park was palpable.
Thiaw Seals the Points
Newcastle's victory was sealed just minutes later from a set-piece. A corner was not dealt with by the Palace defence, allowing defender Malick Thiaw to poke the ball past Henderson and secure the three points. The disappointment on Oliver Glasner's face told its own story, as his team's search for a win goes on.
For Eddie Howe, the result provides a crucial platform for a pivotal month. His side overcame a midfield where Sandro Tonali was left limping early on and both Joelinton and Guimarães initially underwhelmed. The performance of Lewis Miley, however, was a major positive, highlighting his importance to the team's engine room. For Crystal Palace, the need to turn resilient performances into points is becoming increasingly urgent.
