Premier League Review: Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace

Match Facts

• Date – 30th April 2016
• Venue – St James’ Park
• Attendance – 52,107
• Referee – Mike Dean
• Bookings – Mbemba, Colback,
• Goal – Townsend
• Star Eagle – Joel Ward/ Scott Dann (7.1)

Match Review

The Eagles made the long trip back to South London without any points after being undone by a terrific free kick from Newcastle wide man Andros Townsend.

A point was on the cards when Palace were awarded a penalty but Frenchman Yohan Cabaye saw his kick well saved by third choice Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Palace performed well in the first half with Yannick Bolasie looking particularly lively but the tactic of slowing down the game not only wound up the home crowd but effected their usual quick counter attacking style.

Regardless, the visitors looked in control for large parts of the half with only Andros Townsend possessing a threat for Newcastle. The first real chance on goal fell to Cabaye which was saved by Darlow just before the half hour.

Bolasie was getting lots of space to run into and he often looked the main outlet for the Eagles covering ground quickly and one such burst of pace ended in an effort that fell just wide of the target.

It was then the turn of Hennessey to warm his palms as Newcastle looked to step up a gear and take the game by the scruff of the neck but the big Welshman was equal to the long range shot from the impressive Chancel Mbemba who was already on a yellow card after an early booking.

The game turned from one end to the other with Sissoko going close and then Bolasie on the volley which Darlow did excellently to parry. Colback had the best chance for Newcastle but his effort from inside the area went agonisingly wide.

In a game that Newcastle simply had to win, they came out after the break to take the game to the Eagles. Almost straight away Wijnaldum found himself with a chance but Hennessey parried the ball away to safety.

The big moment in the game came when Townsend dusted himself down to take a free kick after being fouled by Scott Dann. He needed no further invitation to fire the ball past a stretched Hennessey and into the top corner of the net to send the home fans wild.

Palace did not lay down after conceding and got their reward after Sissoko handled in the area and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot with a little over twenty minutes to go. Cabaye stepped up to take the spot kick but Darlow saved well down low to his left.

That was the closest Palace came to drawing level in a game that was fiercely contested with the hosts managing to see out the final twenty minutes safely to secure a much needed win in the fight to avoid the drop.

It was clear that the home side wanted this one a little more than the visitors. The loss leaves the Eagles still searching for safety, if only mathematically, with two games left to play.

TEB Verdict

Very much a case of a result that brings us all back down to earth and continues the threat of relegation however small the chance may be. There is no disguising the form of one win in nineteen games which is likely to see the Eagles limp across the line in a couple of weeks time. However, this was never going to be an easy game to play especially after the jubilation of Wembley and attentions turn to the final home game of the season against Stoke City where a point or three would be very welcome.

Player Ratings (courtesy of Who Scored)

• Wayne Hennessey (6.7) – Performed well but had little chance with the free kick that proved to be the winner.
• Joel Ward (7.1) – Part of a solid back line but looked a little jaded and off his usual game.
• Scott Dann (7.1) – Just continues to do what you expect him to do in the heart of the defence but guilty of giving away the free kick that resulted in the only goal of the game.
• Damien Delaney (7.0) – Proving that he is far from a weak link in a defence that has struggled at times.
• Pape Souare (6.8) – Never know what you are going to get from the left back but did what was asked of him.
• James McArthur (6.6) – Great to see the midfielder back and it is no coincidence that the team have struggled in his absence. Replaced by Bakary Sako (6.2) on 61 minutes who really did not do enough for an impact substitute that he was expected to be.
• Yohan Cabaye (6.8) – Target for some of the home crowd. Influential but his penalty was saved which is likely to have secured a point.
• Jason Puncheon (6.4) – Did not have as much influence on the game as we have come to expect from him. Replaced by Dwight Gayle (6.1) on 73 minutes who really did not have a clear cut opportunity.
• Mile Jedinak (6.8) – Solid as ever in the middle of the park, complimenting Cabaye very well indeed.
• Yannick Bolasie (6.5) – Great first half but disappeared a little in the second. Needed a more consistent threat from him.
• Connor Wickham (5.7) – Worked hard to try and carve out opportunities for himself but was well marshalled by the home defence. Replaced by Emmanuel Adebayor (6.0) on 74 minutes who had little chance to get into the game.

Unused substitutes – Alex MCarthy, Adrian Mariappa, Martin Kelly, Joe Ledley.

Match Statistics

The Who Scored man of the match was Karl Darlow (8.6) while Andros Townsend (4) had the most shots. The most tackles were made by Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback and Andros Townsend (5). The most dribbles were made by Andros Townsend (4).

• Team rating: 7.22 – 6.56
• Total shots: 10 – 9
• Shots on target: 4 – 3
• Possession: 48.2% – 51.8%
• Pass success: 70% – 73%
• Aerials won: 26 – 21
• Dribbles: 14 – 11
• Tackles: 27 – 17
• Corners: 4 – 8
• Dispossessed: 11 – 18

Premier League Table