Crystal Palace never really looked like they were losing throughout the 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, with the home side having the lion’s share of possession in both the first and second half. Both sides had excellent chances in the first half to take the lead. Magpies striker Callum Wilson failed to find the target following Emil Krafth’s acrobatic shot, which was cleared off the line by Marc Guehi. The only real other chance in the first half came from Christian Benteke whose headed effort hit the post from a tremendous ball into the box by Michael Olise.
After what was a seemingly quiet first half, Selhurst Park nearly burst into life after Benteke’s early second-half scissor-kick just edged itself over the crossbar. Finally, after 56 minutes, brilliant footwork on the edge of the box from Conor Gallagher saw him feed Tyrick Mitchell on the left-wing, who brilliantly executed a cross to the head of Benteke. The Belgian striker seized his chance and slotted his header with tremendous power into the bottom right corner past goalkeeper Karl Darlow who could do nothing about it.
Crystal Palace could’ve had a second not long after, Olise picked up the ball on the right-wing, however, his perfect delivery could not be matched by the finish of Benteke. The number 20 leapt miles above Newcastle defender Krafth, but his header could not find the target and dipped just onto and over the crossbar.
Just nine minutes after Palace took the lead, The Magpies struck back in sensational style. Matt Ritchie’s fierce ball into the box was met in the air by captain Jamaal Lascelles which, after being flicked on by Krafth, found its way to the feet of Callum Wilson who delivered an exceptional overhead kick that sent the away fans wild. The former Bournemouth striker has now scored six goals in his last six Premier League games for the club.
The Magpies rode their luck right to the very end of the game, after great build-up play from Palace again and a delicious dummy from Odsonne Edouard, Benteke was clean through one on one against Spanish keeper Vicente Guaita, however, another disappointing finish saw the ball trickle wide past the left post. The Belgian's left-footed strike could find no more than the side netting.
Then in the final few minutes of the game, the Eagles managed to win a corner out on the right-hand side. James McArthur’s wonderful ball into the box was matched this time by a rocket header from Benteke who finally managed to grab the winner for Crystal Place, or so he thought anyway. After a quick check from VAR, they concluded that Benteke had fouled his opponent in an attempt to score the goal and the goal was disallowed.
Full time: Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United.