Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle: Player Ratings as Late Strikes Steal Points for Magpies

Late strikes from Callum Wilson and Joelinton helped Newcastle to a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday evening.

Newcastle began the game on top, but after creating a handful of chances, they found themselves defending as Palace grew into the game. Jeffrey Schlupp and Ebere Eze threated to cause problems, but neither side managed any real chances in the first 45.

The second half was very similar. Wilson came close with a header, before Christian Benteke threatened with a header of his own, but we were made to wait until the 87th minute for the first goal.

Wilson found himself through on goal and showed his composure to slot through Vicente Guaita's legs, and Joelinton made it two seconds later with a deflected effort from close range, ensuring the three points went to Steve Bruce's side.

CRYSTAL PALACE

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Vicente Guaita (GK) - 6/10 - Had a lot of routine saves to make and made them. Stayed alert and made a great save to keep out Benteke late on.

Nathaniel Clyne (RB) - 7/10 - Impressive on the overlap but did not shirk his defensive duties. Enjoyed a physical battle with Joelinton and often came out on top.

Gary Cahill (CB) - 6/10 - Had a bit of trouble containing Joelinton and Wilson but generally did enough to stop his side facing any real danger.

Scott Dann (CB) - 5/10 - Wanted to play out from the back but often made the wrong decision. His sloppy passing could have led to a handful of goals.

Patrick van Aanholt (LB) - 6/10 - Spent most of his time playing almost like a striker. Flew down the wing all night long but regularly lacked the end product needed to actually make an impact.

2. Midfielders

Andros Townsend (RM) - 4/10 - You'd be forgiven for forgetting he was even playing. Played second-fiddle to Clyne on the right wing and never really looked like causing any problems.

Cheikhou Kouyate (CM) - 4/10 - His first time in midfield this season, and it might be his last. Far too defensive all night long and left a huge gap up to the forwards.

James McArthur (CM) - 5/10 - A weird victim of Palace's attempt at rotation. With Eze and Schlupp trying to play centrally, McArthur had to drift out wide to offer some balance, and he looked awkward throughout.

Ebere Eze (LM) - 7/10 - Taking up the 'Wilfried Zaha role', Eze was the man tasked with creating literally everything for Palace. He did a solid job, driving at Newcastle's defence and creating chances, but couldn't get the job done.

3. Forwards

Jordan Ayew (ST) - 3/10 - A bystander for most of the game and missed a great opportunity shortly after the break. Looked off it from start to finish.

Jeffrey Schlupp (ST) - 7/10 - The most versatile man on the planet, Schlupp was surprisingly impressive at striker. Had he actually been a striker, he probably would have scored.

4. Substitutes

Christian Benteke - 6/10

Jairo Riedewald - 6/10

Michy Batshuayi - N/A

NEWCASTLE UNITED

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Karl Darlow (GK) - 7/10 - Kept busy by a load of half-chances. Had nothing overly challenging to do but did everything well.

Javier Manquillo (RB) - 3/10 - Defended poorly and was just as uninspiring in attack. Never really looked like he wanted anything to do with this one.

Federico Fernandez (CB) - 6/10 - Picked up an early yellow card and then looked a little apprehensive when tackling. Would have had a lower score but pulled off a stunning block to deny Kouyate late on.

Ciaran Clark (CB) - 7/10 - With Newcastle needing to revert to a back four, Clark's composure was crucial. Led by example and can be proud of his showing.

Jamal Lewis (LB) - 5/10 - Had plenty of chances to take on his man and make something happen, but frustratingly turned backwards more often than not. Far too negative.

6. Midfielders

Jeff Hendrick (RM) - 2/10 - Another anonymous performance from Hendrick, who is being crippled by Bruce's determination to play him out wide. Could not get into the game whatsoever.

Sean Longstaff (CM) - 4/10 - The definition of a spectator. Watched the game pass him by all night long, but did at least manage a handful of decent passes on the rare occasions that he got the ball.

Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - 5/10 - Very similar to Longstaff, but could at least be seen trying to get things going with some long passes. Had the right idea.

Miguel Almiron (LM) - 6/10 - Looked fairly lively but failed to bring an end to his struggles. Came as a real surprise to see him hauled off after 70 minutes as he was the only real bright spark.

7. Forwards

Joelinton (ST) - 7/10 -Managed more shots than in any other game this season, and all of them were pretty bad. His goal was scruffy but a reward for his work rate.

Callum Wilson (ST) - 7/10 - Fairly anonymous throughout as Joelinton popped up with all the chances, but needed just one clear-cut chance to make the difference.

8. Substitutes

Matt Richie - 6/10

Fabian Schar - N/A

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