Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Newcastle: Magpies steal point after Wilson stunner

Callum Wilson’s superb bicycle kick rescued a point for managerless Newcastle United in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, extending their Premier League winless run to nine matches. Fans of the ‘Magpies’ watched on intently after Steve Bruce left the club this week, although there was no dramatic upturn in form as the ‘Eagles’ dominated for long spells.

As in Newcastle’s recent encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, early promise had the Toon Army believing that a new era was upon them, although after Callum Wilson failed to turn in a rebound from Emil Krafth’s effort, it was back to lacklustre business as usual. 

Meanwhile, fast-paced play from the ‘Eagles’ delighted the home crowd and a superb cross from 19-year-old Michael Olise, who was making his first Premier League start, was headed onto the post by Christian Benteke. The youngster played with confidence beyond his years, and while the passion was certainly flowing in a fiery encounter, the floodgates remained closed.

That all changed after the break when Benteke followed up his acrobatic near-miss with a typically dominant header into the bottom corner. Selhurst Park was jubilant, but Wilson put a stop to that less than ten minutes later with a well-executed bicycle kick. The former Bournemouth frontman returned with a bang against Spurs last weekend, and this was yet another statement to Newcastle’s new owners that they need not spend big on a new striker. 

With time ticking down, Benteke almost had the final say after yet another majestic header flew into the net, although referee Darren England agonisingly chalked off what looked like the winner for a foul in the box.

The result marks a fourth successive draw for Patrick Vieira’s Palace side, who were cruelly denied all three points thanks to Arsenal’s last-gasp equaliser last time out. Meanwhile, the sides walk away from the encounter with just one Premier League win between them all season, with both camps showing room for improvement.