Newcastle 1-0 Palace: Miggy magic makes it six wins on the spin at St James' Park!
It wasn't always pretty, but that was another magical night at St James' Park!
A brilliant tribute to Allan Saint-Maximin just moments before kick off, an outstanding defensive display, a stunning goal from Miguel Almiron, superb post-match scenes from the NUFC dressing room and our SIXTH straight win on home turf - something we hadn't done since the days of the great Sir Bobby Robson.
It's also a result that takes us closer to qualifying for Europe than Burnley in third bottom, highlighting what an incredible job Eddie Howe has done now we're up to 40 points and level with Brighton in 10th!
The second half was a backs against the wall affair at times, seeing us sit back and protect what we'd got against a Crystal Palace side who just couldn't breach our black and white wall, but we played some lovely stuff in the first 45.
We started with an intensity about our play, pressed well, moved the ball quickly and got the goal we deserved when a beautifully weighted pass from Bruno released Almiron down the right.
The Paraguayan still had a LOT to do, but burst past the impressive Tyrick Mitchell like he wasn't even there and fired a left-footed shot across goal and into the top corner from a tight angle!
The celebration that followed was as electric as the finish, as he reeled away shirtless at the Leazes End before jumping into the East Stand to a huge embrace from fans!
It was a game of two halves. After a positive first 45 that saw us grab the game by the scruff of the neck, Palace dominated the ball in the second half, yet they never really looked like scoring.
We conceded possession too easily and struggled to pose any real threat on the counter after dropping deep, but we continued to win the midfield battle - Guimaraes was outstanding, Joelinton back to his disruptive best and Shelvey showing the sort of grit he's previously lacked - and defended superbly.
Our two centre-backs did little wrong all night, yet it was the protection they were given from the midfield trio and the two full-backs either side of them that impressed me most.
Emil Krafth did a real job on Wilfried Zaha in what was another rock solid display from the much improved Swede. He won so many 50/50s, rarely gave him room to manoeuvre and left the tricky winger looking utterly fed up in a battle few would've envisaged him winning just a few months ago!
Down the other side, Matt Targett was also outstanding, barely putting a foot wrong defensively and looking equally reliable in possession.
As for Bruno, I'm convinced we already own one of the best midfielders in the Premier League! He tackles like Tiote, passes like Cabaye and dances through midfield like a true Brazilian flare player. He really does have it all and knows exactly when to throw his arms up to get a roar of support from the Gallowgate!
After the game, we then saw Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben having a casual kick about on the pitch before all three joined Amanda Staveley in the famous team photo in the Toon dressing room!
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey (c), Joelinton – Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Darlow, Lascelles, Fernandez, Manquillo, Ritchie, Willock, S Longstaff, Murphy, Gayle.
Next up, a trip to Norwich on Saturday and a chance to build on our charge towards the top 10!
