Newcastle United Secures Victory Against Crystal Palace
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes inspired his team to a hard-fought victory as they kicked off the new year with a win against Crystal Palace.
Head coach Eddie Howe described January as a "season-defining" month for his team, emphasizing the importance of this match in their quest to revitalize their league campaign.
Initially, it seemed both teams might settle for a draw, as Anthony Gordon and Joelinton had goals disallowed in the first half, while Will Hughes squandered a prime opportunity to score for Crystal Palace.
However, Guimaraes took charge, breaking the deadlock with less than 20 minutes remaining by heading the ball past Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Newcastle, having dropped points from winning positions earlier this season, showed resilience this time, with Guimaraes also playing a crucial role in their second goal. His inswinging corner kick was parried by Henderson, allowing Malick Thiaw to score from the rebound.
This victory allowed Newcastle to leapfrog Crystal Palace in the league standings, moving them up to ninth place. In contrast, Palace has slipped to 14th and is now without a win in seven matches across all competitions.
Newcastle Analysis: Guimaraes Steps Up Again
St James' Park felt tense as the match neared its conclusion, with a late winner not guaranteed for the hosts. Yet, Guimaraes, who scored Newcastle's last goal of 2025, stepped up to net their first of 2026, guiding his team to a vital victory.
Guimaraes has consistently delivered important goals at St James' in recent months, including key strikes against Crystal Palace, Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and a late winner against Fulham. He has matched his best scoring season for the club with seven goals, solidifying his status as a key player for the team.
What's Next for These Teams?
Newcastle will host Leeds United at St James' Park on Wednesday at 20:15 GMT, followed by another home game against Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Saturday at 15:00.
Crystal Palace will welcome Aston Villa to Selhurst Park on Wednesday at 19:30 before traveling to Moss Rose to face non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup on Saturday at 12:15.