Having been forced to settle for a draw against West Ham United ahead of the international break, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United would look to return to winning ways at St James’ Park – with a Crystal Palace side in indifferent form awaiting them.
NEW: Pope; Burn, Schär, Lascelles, Trippier; Joelinton, Guimarães, Longstaff; Gordon, Wilson, Murphy
CRY: Johnstone; Mitchell, Guéhi, Andersen, Ward; Hughes, Doucouré, Lerma; Édouard, Mateta, Ayew
It was the perfect resumption to life in the Premier League for the hosts, taking the lead after just four minutes when Kieran Trippier found Jacob Murphy with a delectable pass, allowing the winger to propel a shot over a struggling Sam Johnstone.
Newcastle United were nothing short of dominant throughout the first half, and despite only having a one-goal margin, Eddie Howe’s side looked to be cruising to a rather comfortable victory.
That status was further cemented forty minutes after Murphy’s opener, with the goalscorer heavily involved in the linkup play as Anthony Gordon was able to slot home at the back post to double the hosts’ advantage.
Embed from Getty ImagesMerely minutes later, Sean Longstaff would add the third as he capitalised on an unfortunate slip from Marc Guéhi to beat Johnstone once again.
And while Crystal Palace showed signs of life in the second half, they were never able to find a way back into the match – with Odsonne Édouard denied by a superb Jamaal Lascelles block.
Callum Wilson completed the rout just after the hour mark, finding Newcastle United’s fourth goal of the evening following more stunning linkup play between Jacob Murphy and Kieran Trippier on the right flank.
Newcastle United travel to Molineux next weekend, while Crystal Palace will seek to return to winning ways against a high-flying Tottenham Hotspur side at Selhurst Park.
