Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 2
Selhurst Park
Saturday 22nd August Kick-off 3pm
Kevin Noland and Ryan Taylor Strike
Fourth Championship Game of the season
Newcastle beat Crystal Palace as Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor scored their first goals for the Toon. The first away league win in eight games saw us stay in the top two of the league, in front of 3,400 toon Army fans at Selhurst Park.
Club Captain Nicky Butt returned following his early pre season hand injury with a place on the bench. Sitting on the sidelines following the win over Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday was Andy Carroll nursing a slight groin strain. Chris Guthrie came in and Newcastle revert to the 4-5-1 formation tried out in the pre-season games with Kevin Nolan playing the forward midfielder.
A great start within two minutes and Kevin Nolan runs onto a Jonas Gutierrez chip which passes the Palace defence and he scores low into the net. Ryan Taylor scored his first goal in the 21st minute with a brilliant curling left foot shot from outside of the penalty box. Jonas provided his second assist of the afternoon.
Caretaker manager Chris Hughton selected what might be his last team? Mike Ashley has indicated the current will he sell or will he stay comes to a head on Monday when he announces what he intends do to. Barry Moat the most talked about and visual of bidders waits in hope.
Going into the game we started in third position in the league table. Cardiff didn't play today so the result means we moved up to second following the days results. Boro won 2-0 at home to Doncaster.
Shola made his 200th league appearance for Newcastle.
Off the field we wait for another decision day to pass on Monday as Mike Ashley decides what to do. Whoever the owner is come Tuesday they must realise that the results will take a nose dive once the injuries and suspensions kick in. Enjoy the results while we can.
Caretaker Manager Comments: Chris Hughton
"I'm very happy to do this job for as long as I am asked to. It's not about me putting down a marker for the job, it's about winning games and the players have responded. We are not far off. We have quality here. I'm hoping we don't lose any more players over the next week."
talking to nufcTV
"It was very pleasing to get the three points, and especially the clean sheet, away from home. We said to the players before the game that we expected a tough match, and that's what we got. But to get a goal after just two minutes was a dream start - it gave the players and the fans a massive lift. It was then a very good time to get the second goal and again, like Kevin's, it was a very good finish. We had to defend a little bit more after the break but I felt were always in control. I thought the effort and desire was tremendous. We're going very well at the moment but we have to keep that going because all of the hard work is in front of us - but it's been a great start."
on Defence
"I think the clean sheet is as pleasing as anything. It's nearly five hours without conceding now. If you're doing that then you're going to win football matches. We've looked solid at the back and, when the opposition has got chances, we've been able to rely on Steve Harper to make some great saves."
Palace Defence talking to The Chronicle on Monday
“We knew we were going to be tested physically. I thought over the 90 minutes we defended well enough. We knew they would have some chances. It was never going to be the case where we could keep them quiet for 90 minutes, but we defended very, very well, and scored the goals at very good times.
We’re aware that Kevin can do that. “At times he can also play deep and compete in the air. He's got that versatility. Kevin's a good finisher in those positions. He's a good, adaptable player and i’m certainly delighted to have him.
Ryan's got a hell of a shot on him. We know how good he is on set plays, and he's certainly playing with some confidence, and covering a lot of ground. I see him as a player who can play in numerous positions. We have also used him in central midfield, and with the amount of games we'll play, it's invaluable to have two or three players that can do that."
on the Fans (3,599)
They were outstanding. There was sunshine there, and we scored the early goal, and that set them off straight away. We just hope we can give them something to cheer about.”
Neil Warnock Crystal Palace Manager Comments
"We never really gave ourselves a chance. The goals were a disgrace, but you get punished by good players."
talking to CPFC
"We lost two goals in the opening 20 minutes and the centre backs were very disappointing. They made up for it in the second half but I am disappointed really that we could not have given them a better game. They did not have chances like we did but they finished those that came along.
We just could not score today, we should have had a penalty on the 50th minute which would have made it interesting. I would have liked to see how they would have reacted if we had kept it tight and seen how they reacted. In all honesty in the first 30 minutes we did not play as a team and if you do not do that then anybody will beat you. We did not function in every department which was disappointing.
I can't fault the lads performance in the second half. I was pleased with them but in the first we were not the best, I gave them a few words at half time but that is life.
It will be an open division, seven or eight teams are up there, but with the financial muscle they have it will help, but like we found out today, if you do not play as a team and fail to do the right things then anyone can beat you, no matter who you are."
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Head to Head
Toon @ Selhurst Park:
- 2009/10 Won 2-0 Nolan, Ryan Taylor
- 2004/05 Won 2-0 Kulivert, Bellamy
- 1997/98 Won 2-1 Ketsbaia, Tomasson
- 1994/95 Won 1-0 Beardsley
Match Facts
- Possession Crystal Palace 41% -Newcastle 59%
- Shots on target Crystal Palace 7 - Newcastle 5
- Shots off target Crystal Palace 5 - Newcastle 1
- Corners Crystal Palace 10 - Newcastle 6
- Fouls Crystal Palace 14 - Newcastle 8
Three Clean Sheet and 270 Minutes Danny Simpson
talking to The Chronicle
“If we continue to defend like that we won’t concede many goals. It’s not just the back four, the midfielders and the strikers have played their part. It’s another great win for us, we’ve come out of the last three games with three wins which is fantastic. We just want to keep the winning mentality going. Palace were buzzing with confidence after their last result when they beat Ipwsich. “But we got the early goals and hung on to it.
We said before the game how important the start was and it was a good start by us. We knew it was important to do that because their fans are always on top of you and right behind them. Playing Newcastle is a big game for them. So we knew we had to be better than them right from the off.
It was a fantastic finish by Kev. We wanted him and Danny Guthrie to get forward like that and it was the perfect run by Kev – it was also a great finish. Ryan’s got in with a great strike too. It was great for him because he wanted a birthday goal against Sheff Wed and he was unlucky. Now he’s got one and what a goal it was too.”
Spiderman on "top of the world"
Jonas Gutierrez said to The Chronicle
“It was great to get two assists but I am happier that we have won the game. I always say that this is more important and I feel top of the world at the moment. We started very strongly and the win keeps us high in the table, so I’m obviously very happy.
It’s great to see the midfielders get some goals. It helps us as a team when we can all contribute and it’s also very, very good for confidence. Everybody suddenly wants the ball and when that happens, opponents will fear us going forward. Kevin and Ryan have scored which is very good for us. They were delighted after the game. After the way we finished last season to get clean sheets is great as well.“We are building up in confidence from the back. “We know we have a lot of matches to play this season and some hard games but teams know that we’ll be a tough side to play against"
on the Cup Joans said
“We just aim to keep this run going. Everybody just can’t wait for the next match now. There’s no reason why we can’t continue this for a long run.”
Kevin Nolan Fantastic Start - 99 Seconds
talking to The Chronicle
“We’ll just continue to play our football and let that do the talking. It’s 10 points out of 12, and it’s a fantastic start to the campaign. We needed a good start, and we’ve got one to build on now. : “We always knew it was going to be tough as they’re a well-drilled side. They get the ball in the box, and don’t stop putting the ball in the box. Maybe at times we could have kept the ball better, but I thought we handled them really well.
There was a bit of a play down the left, and Jonas (Gutierrez) cut inside. He never normally crosses it, but I shouted to him, and I just put it back across the keeper. It worked, and I’m delighted to get my first goal for the club – hopefully the first of many. I always know I’m going to get myself in situations to score, so I’ve just got to keep believing. With the quality we’ve got in the team, we’re always going to make chances. I’ve just got to keep getting in Championship and at least two cup games,"
Match Day Tweets
New Mag On Sale
The first Mag issue of the season - number 238 - goes on sale ahead of this Saturday's home game. Priced @ £2.50 it's available from local news vendors, street sellers on the approaches to SJP and The Back Page on St.Andrews Street
"The Mag was born in 1988, just after we’d sold Gazza and the first game was when he actually came back with Spurs and he was pelted with Mars Bars!" Mark Jensen Editor