Crystal Palace recorded back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since September as they kept an attack-minded Newcastle at bay at St James’ Park.
The Magpies had a handful of chances to add to the second-minute strike from Jonjo Shelvey, while Roy Hodgson’s side made the most of their opportunities, turning the match around in a four-minute spell courtesy of goals from Jairo Riedewald and Gary Cahill.
Riedewald’s effort trumped Shelvey’s half-volley, when his 20-yard rocket took a slight deflection off Ciaran Clark in beating keeper Karl Darlow. And then in the 25th minute 35-year-old Cahill leapt highest to flick Eberechi Eze’s corner delivery past the reach of the Magpies keeper. In doing so, the former Chelsea defender became the club’s oldest scorer in the competition.
Andros Townsend should have made it 3-1 in stoppage time, but almost inexplicably struck his effort high and wide from four yards.
The visiting backline was busier of the two defences with Vicente Guaita producing a great instinctive block to deny Ryan Fraser and making another save to deny the Scot.
Victory sees Palace move level on 29 points with 12th place Southampton, while Newcastle remain in 16th and eight points above the drop-zone.
Whether Hodgson’s side can make it a hat-trick of successes at Leeds next Monday might depend on how serious Wilfried Zaha’s injury is. The Ivory Coast winger came off in the 58th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.