Newcastle United started 2026 with a much-needed 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James’ Park, ending a long wait for a Premier League clean sheet.
The win sealed the second back-to-back triumphant run
for Newcastle in the EPL this season and lifted Eddie Howe’s side into ninth, just two points off the top five.
It was a slow-burning contest with little quality and offensive fireworks from either side to start with. Newcastle saw first-half efforts from Anthony Gordon and Joelinton ruled out for offside, while Palace’s best chance saw Will Hughes poke wide after a defensive lapse by the Magpies.
Eddie Howe’s team found it difficult to break down a strong Eagles side desperate to halt a slide that has seen them drop from fourth to 14th place in less than a month.
The breakthrough came after the halftime break, as nineteen-year-old-going-thirty Lewis Miley, once again filling in at right-back, found Bruno Guimaraes at the far post with a ridiculous touch. Guimaraes headed home his seventh goal of the season to give the hosts the lead after Miley’s athletic effort.
Shortly after, Guimaraes’ corner brought chaos to the Palace box, and Malick Thiaw reacted quickest to score Newcastle’s second, securing the three points for the Magpies.
Nick Pope denied Palace debutant Brennan Johnson late, and Newcastle’s bench, featuring a few returning defenders, finally had some depth as the team enters the toughest and most critical stretch of the season.
The Magpies have eight games in the next 25 days, including FA Cup and EFL Cup knockout matchups, Champions League games, and a visit to Liverpool on Jan. 31.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in eleven home games in all competitions and will look to extend that streak against Leeds United on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
