Newcastle United returned to winning ways with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, as veterans Will Osula and Harvey Barnes struck after halftime.
Matthias Jaissle's side played a much-improved second half than they did in the first, securing only its second league clean sheet of the season and climbing to the top half of the table by the final whistle.
Jaissle made five changes after three defeats in four league games, restoring Dan Burn and Fabian Schar in defense while Osula replaced Yoane Wissa through the middle. Newcastle failed to register a shot on target before the break, but Burn and Schar helped keep Palace quiet despite several scrappy moments around Lukas Hornicek's penalty area.
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The opening 45 minutes offered little on offense from either side amid difficult, swirling conditions in London. Crystal Palace threatened early when Jean-Philippe Mateta failed to make clean contact following an Adam Wharton free kick, while Newcastle struggled to involve Osula, who managed only five touches before halftime and none inside the opposition box.
The match changed almost immediately after the break. Less than two minutes into the second half, Jacob Murphy delivered a sharp cross from the right, and Osula escaped Chris Richards before stretching out his left leg to put the ball past Walter Benitez for his first Premier League goal of the season.
Newcastle thought it had doubled its lead five minutes later when Joelinton released Joe Willock through the middle and the midfielder finished, only for VAR to rule him narrowly offside. The reprieve did little for Palace, and Newcastle struck again in the 58th minute when Amar Dedic's delivery reached Barnes, who finished first time from inside the area.
Hornicek produced strong saves to deny Wharton and Dario Osorio in Palace's lone threatening opportunities, including tipping the latter's curling effort wide, while Schar and Burn continued to keep the home side away.
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Newcastle remained composed late on and super-sub Wissa almost added a third in stoppage time before being stopped inside the box.
The clean sheet is particularly significant after Newcastle had conceded eight goals across its previous two away matches at Leeds and Coventry, not exactly the strongest Premier League teams out there.
Jaissle's decision to lean on greater Premier League experience and more than a few veterans surely paid off, with Burn making his first start of the season, Schar returning alongside him, and Osula and Barnes scoring the goals on a pleasant Saturday as Newcastle delivered a far more disciplined defensive performance and regained their attacking prowess.
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The win gave Newcastle a much-needed first league win in three matches and moved Jaissle's side up the table ahead of a crucial road game at Everton for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
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