ONE step forward, two back – the story of Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.
The stellar win at Everton four days ago gave the weary Toon Army some long overdue excitement.
Crystal Palace scored twice in four minutes as they came back to beat Newcastle 2-1Credit: Reuters
Jairo Riedewald and Gary Cahill were on target for the Eagles Credit: Getty Images – Getty
But the Magpies do soul-crushing like few others, snatching away that glimmer of hope at the first opportunity.
Seventy-one seconds in, the Toon Army must have felt anything was possible when Jonjo Shelvey rifled home from the edge of the box.
But the Eagles were ahead after 25 minutes and never let go – capping another miserable night at St James’ Park for Bruce.
Jairo Riedewald outdid Shelvey with his own thunderbolt before Gary Cahill powered home an unmarked header.
Bruce was searching for back-to-back wins for just the fifth time in his reign.
The Geordie has never racked up three straight victories, and they had a host of great chances to ensure they had a chance to do so against Southampton on Saturday.
All in the first-half, Jeff Hendrick, Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar and Ryan Fraser squandered great openings.
This defeat, their sixth in seven, leaves them flirting dangerously with the bottom three.
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Jonjo Shelvey opened the scoring after just two minutesCredit: Reuters
Shelvey fired in a scorcher to set St James’ Park alightCredit: AFP
Eight points ahead of Fulham in 18th, the Cottagers have two games in hand.
So while still squeaky bum time on Tyneside, Palace are 15 points clear and will have grand designs on the top-10 after consecutive wins.
The only downside for boss Roy Hodgson was an injury to Wilfried Zaha, who was replaced in the second-half clutching his hamstring.
Bruce replaced the crocked Jamaal Lascelles with Ciaran Clark, while Roy Hodgson brought in Cahill and Riedewald for James McCarthy and Cheikhou Kouyate after beating Wolves.
New loan signing Joe Willock was in the stands after his move from Arsenal,and would be excused if he missed Toon’s opener.
The fastest goal Palace have conceded since 1998, Shelvey’s belter from the edge of the box left Vicente Guaita with no chance.
Callum Wilson took Miguel Almiron’s cross down with his chest and laid it off for Shelvey.
Coming from deep, the midfielder smashed it first time into the ground and into the bottom corner.
Riedewald found an equaliser for Palace in the 21st minuteCredit: Reuters
Cahill headed home to make it 2-1 just four minutes laterCredit: Ian Hodgson – Daily Mail
His first league goal of the season, the Magpies were purring – but soon made to pay for fluffing chance after chance.
Jeff Hendrick hooked a volley just wide before Wilson flicked a cross inches over.
And Palace were level on 21 minutes after cutting Newcastle open down the left.
Jamal Lewis’ half-clearance fell to Riedewald, who outdid Shelvey with an absolute rocket.
Smashing it first time on his left peg from 25 yards, Karl Darlow barely had time to react as it flew through him.
And four minutes later Hodgson’s side were ahead when Cahill powered Eberechi Eze’s free-kick from the right home.
Schar’s marking was far too lax though, allowing the former England defender to peel round the back and nod home unmarked.
Schar, along with Fraser, was then guilty of somehow missing golden opportunities to draw back level.
Palace suffered an injury blow with Wilfried Zaha forced offCredit: Ian Hodgson – Daily Mail
Steve Bruce’s side could not find a way back into the gameCredit: Reuters
The Swiss centre-back found himself unmarked 10 yards out from Fraser’s corner but spooned horribly wide.
And the Scot squandered two before half-time, firing a weak effort straight at Guaita before the Spaniard stood tall to block his attempted chip after being rolled in by Wilson.
Brucie’s boys ploughed on after the break but, with Palace deep and solid, struggled to create.
The visitors were looking to do damage on the counter but were dealt a blow just before the hour when talisman Wilfried Zaha did his right hamstring and hobbled off.
What Zaha is to Palace Allan Saint-Maximin is to Newcastle, with Bruce bringing the French winger on for Jeff Hendrick to once again inspire his largely pedestrian side.
But there was little he could do as Newcastle’s chances dried up as dogged Palace held on comfortably.
As exciting as the first-half the second was a damp squib, with a Shelvey header wide the closest Newcastle came to snatching a point.
The best chance fell to Palace, with sub Andros Townsend inexplicably skying high and wide from 10 yards with the goal gaping.
Joe Willock sends a message to Newcastle fans
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
