Five things we learned from Newcastle's much needed 2-0 win away at Crystal Palace

Newcastle United returned to winning ways against Crystal Palace as Matthias Jaissle's players relieved the pressure on their head coach with an inspired second half display at Selhurst Park.

After an uninspiring first half in South London, Newcastle burst into life in the second half as goals from Will Osula and Harvey Barnes secured a vital 2-0 win on the road.

After three defeats in their last four matches heading into today's game, as well as criticism of his tactical set-up, it felt like a big moment for Jaissle as he quietened some of the outside noise before a double-header against Everton in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League. Here are five things we learned from a big Newcastle win.

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Leadership vacuum addressed

Jaissle said in his pre-match press conference on Friday that he felt there was a 'leadership vacuum' in his side so far this season so his team selection felt telling on Sunday. Dan Burn made his first start of the season and he was joined by Fabian Schar at the centre of defence as both Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman were dropped.

The veteran duo instantly made Newcastle look more solid at the back, while Joelinton provided a bit more stability in front of them in just his second start of the season. Murphy's return to the starting XI also felt like a deliberate ploy to add more experience and it was telling that this was the oldest starting XI Jaissle has named this season.

But the United boss was at pains to stress it wasn't just their experience that guided his selection, with both Botman and Thiaw's form dropping off in recent weeks and a suggestion that Schar and Burn's ability on the ball make them better suited to Jaissle's style of play.

"For Dan and Fabby, they have been quite a long time out now but due to their leadership and experience and their physicality they will do a great job today," Jaissle told Sky Sports before the game.

"Especially now in the training sessions they showed that. They have given us a huge stability but also quality on the ball which is something we should not miss to mention. This is something what we are aware of and what we need today and it is not only about their leadership qualities."

It would be a major surprise to see any of those four aforementioned players come out of the starting XI in Thursday's cup trip to face Everton.

Crowd reaction

"How s--t must you be, we're winning away?" That was the question ringing out from a jubilant away end at Selhurst Park and while it was sang in jest, there was a serious point in there that spoke volumes.

Newcastle headed to Crystal Palace off the back of successive 4-1 defeats away from home and it felt like a huge psychological boost that they not only avoided a similar fate again away from St James' Park but also rediscovered the winning touch.

Now they have done that, it has avoided further difficult questions about their mentality on the road and it should give them a renewed confidence ahead of Thursday's trip to Merseyside.

Jaissle lieutenant makes huge difference

Amar Dedic has not been able to start any of the last three matches while recovering from injury and he has been a big miss. He is a vital cog in the Jaissle machine, particularly because he has experience of playing under the Newcastle head coach at RB Salzburg.

If there is anyone in the squad who knows how to implement the manager's vision this season, it is Dedic, and the importance of that has perhaps been lost while Newcastle continue to experience some teething problems under their new manager.

He grabbed an assist and a clean sheet on his return and his energy going both ways felt like it made a huge difference to Newcastle's success.

Carragher call for patience justified

In the midst of some fierce pre-match criticism, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher labelled it as 'harsh' and called for patience.

"I have felt the criticism of him, and the journalists up there know him a little better than me, probably a bit harsh," said Carragher, who often defended Eddie Howe as well. "You look at these players and the clubs they have signed for and it tells you the amount of quality they have lost.

"They have decided as a club to go with a young squad and a young manager who is new to the Premier League and it doesn't help when you get bashed up and it is live on TV. It was always going to be up and down season in a lot of ways, lots of people getting used to the Premier League. That is just the nature of transfers."

To be fair to Jaissle, his team selection today was bold and his five changes paid off. With wins come greater patience and now it is up to him to reward Newcastle fans for that.

Premier League picture

Newcastle kicked off the game in 14th place and ended it in seventh place. That not only sums up how volatile the Premier League is in the formative stages of the season but also how quickly the complexion of the campaign can change.

Defeat would have seen the Magpies looking over their shoulder at the bottom of the table. Now they are looking upwards and with a home clash against Everton and a trip to Fulham before the November international break, opportunity knocks now for Jaissle's side to put themselves in a really healthy position.