Crystal Palace hope to keep the good times rolling at Selhurst Park by upsetting top-six seeking Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The Eagles broke free for five goals in beating another top-six hopeful, West Ham, on Sunday. Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are healthy and Jean-Philippe Mateta reaping the benefits, and they’ll be hopeful of taking advantage of Newcastle’s defensive injuries to formally seal safety.
Palace’s 36 points are 11 clear of the bottom three, and the Eagles have five matches left in the season.
WATCH CRYSTAL PALACE vs NEWCASTLE LIVE
Newcastle are unbeaten in four games despite myriad injuries, above seventh-place Manchester United on goal differential, two points clear of West Ham, and three ahead of Chelsea (whose played one fewer game).
The Magpies are missing so many important pieces including Sven Botman, Joelinton, Kieran Trippier, and the suspended Sandro Tonali, but Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes have been sensational in front of the usually-solid Fabian Schar.
Eddie Howe has Newcastle positioned for a European return, and this game kicks off a key stretch with Sheffield United and Burnley before bigger tests: Brighton, Manchester United, and Brentford.
Palace find health, form as wounded Newcastle struggle
Oliver Glasner’s Palace project is looking good, but Roy Hodgson’s might’ve looked decent as well with Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise finally fit together — and Jean-Philippe Mateta finishes chances with style.
And spare a kind thought for Jordan Ayew, whose seven assists are hist best in a single season since the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season with Lorient.
But it helps when your opponent is exhausted and depleted, and Newcastle’s midfield. may be running out of gas. Sandro Tonali’s been suspended for months, Joelinton our nearly as long, and Lewis Miley and Joe Willock have joined them on the sidelines.
Bruno Guimaraes is a world-class player but Elliot Anderson is young and Sean Longstaff not an every-week force for a Champions League hopeful.
The Magpies have slid behind Manchester United on the table and may be hoping to hold onto seventh with West Ham behind them and Chelsea within reach as well. This needed to be at least a draw, and upcoming fixtures with Sheffield United and Burnley have to be wins before big tilts against Brighton and Manchester United. Brentford and Spurs follow, so there’s no definite spot for Eddie Howe’s men.
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Crystal Palace go to Fulham at 10am ET Saturday, the same time that Newcastle host Sheffield United.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET Wednesday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBC.com
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle live updates — By Nick Mendola
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle final score: 2-0
Goalscorers: Mateta (55', 88')
GOAL! Mateta again — Crystal Palace 2-0 Newcastle United (88th minute)
VAR takes a look at Will Hughes
Alexander Isak plays Sean Longstaff into the box.
The Magpies’ hometown kid is pulled back by Will Hughes and hits the deck.
Given as a goal kick. Stays as a goal kick, as Longstaff was very clumsy in his sell job.
Newcastle subs
Lewis Hall and Callum Wilson enter in the 65th minute, taking the spots of Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes.
Hughes curls over
A nice set-up by Eze, but Will Hughes cannot keep his curling shot under the bar.
Will Palace free kick
Anthony Gordon gets the ball and then the man, and he’ll see a yellow card for the incident with Eberechi Eze outside the 18.
Comes to nothing.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Newcastle United (55th minute)
Jean-Philippe Mateta works a 1-2 with Jordan Ayew and beats Dubravka with a fine low strike.
Halftime — Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle United
Nine shot attempts in the game, all from Palace. Only three on target, though, and they account for very little xG (0.23)
But the danger has been minimal aside from that presented by four corner kicks.
Palace at 53% possession. Wake up, game!
Not much doing
The Magpies midfield is so thin, but Palace kept Michael Olise on the bench and the Eagles have not been able to take advantage of the also-thin Newcastle back line.
Palace have taken the game’s first seven shots at Selhurst Park. Two have made their way to Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Munoz, Clyne, Andersen, Richards, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Ayew, Eze, Mateta.
Newcastle United lineup
Dubravka, Krafth, Burn, Schar, Murphy, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Anderson, Barnes, Gordon, Isak
Crystal Palace focus, team news
OUT: Marc Guehi (knee), Matheus Franca (adductor), Sam Johnstone (elbow), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Jefferson Lerma (thigh)
Newcastle United focus, team news
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Lewis Miley (lower back), Miguel Almiron (knee), Kieran Trippier (calf), Joe Willock (achilles) | QUESTIONABLE: Matt Targett (achilles), Callum Wilson (chest)
