Instant fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.

Nat Seaton:

‘First half and second half performances were a world apart.

Thankfully we came out a different team for the second half and deservedly took all 3 precious points.

Two great well worked team goals, which I didn’t see coming after that first half performance.

Nico’s best game in a Newcastle shirt.

It’s great to be winning again, let’s keep it going against Everton in the Cup and then back at St James’ Park for the Monday night game.’

Simon Ritter:

‘A terrible stadium, a terrible first half, great first 15 minutes after the interval, then we sat back and hit them on the break.’

Billy Miller:

‘At half time it felt like we could be heading for more disappointment.

A hugely improved second half, especially early on, was taken advantage of.

A tremendous ball from Murphy met opportunistically by Osula. You could argue Murph has put in a few of those this season but the personnel haven’t taken advantage of it.

A lovely move swept home by Barnes for the second.

Now we’re in 7th! It’s going to be a strange season.’

The Armchair Fan:

‘Get in! Brilliant result and a great second half performance.

Barnes’ goal is my favourite of the season so far. Superb passing, a real team goal. A couple of great saves after from Horni as well to keep us two goals to the good.

I’m going to allow myself a moment of self-congratulation having predicted in my preview that the match would be a bit of a slog but two second-half goals would see us win 2-0. Be in touch if you want the lottery numbers!

Day off work tomorrow so it’s beer time! GET IN!’

Tony Mallabar:

‘The League is wors, how could I ever doubt Matthias Jaissle?

Reality is that we played the worst Palace team I’ve seen, but a win is a win…

The plus being we dominated the second half and deserved our victory.

Sitting on the bus home and hopefully back on Tyneside before last orders.’

David Punton:

‘I’m pleased for the manager today.

He’s gone in there having to follow Eddie Howe with all the best players sold.

He’s also had a fair burn of stick (some of it justified) for his tactics and team selections.

Jaissle needed a result today and thankfully he’s gotten it.

We were told in the build up to this game that he was going to be more pragmatic. It has worked.

His team came to life in second half and got the job done. That was much better, albeit against a Palace side in terrible form.

Despite all the doom and gloom we are seventh with that win on the road.

Plenty of key players being back has been vital.’

Matt Busby said…:

‘Great to win in London again and great to have another clean sheet, thanks to that devastating quarter of an hour at the beginning of the second half when we scored two brilliant goals, and were unlucky not to have registered a third with that sublime finish from Willock adjudged to be offside.

Gonzalez such a calming influence in the centre of the park and my MOTM.

Schar and Burn both playing a big part in steadying the ship at the back, replacing Thiaw and Botman; Dedic and Hall also doing well.

And whilst it was great to see Ramsey and Elanga back in action, the third of that triple substitution, Yoane Wissa looked well off the pace.

Let’s be honest though. Palace look dreadful and for large spells we weren’t that good, especially in that first 45 minutes.’

Jamie Smith:

‘Different team either side of the break and you need to hope we see the second half team in the weeks ahead.

The difference maker was clearly the presence of Burn and Schar as a centre half pairing. Their organisation has been missing amongst the mute back four that has shipped so many this season and it’s no coincidence that both Hornicek behind and Gonzalez in front looked solid.

I am still thinking we need a solid foundation for a steady season as opposed to harbouring European ambitions but I feel a lot better about the double header with Everton after that second half.’

GToon:

‘Huge win and a much better performance against a team already showing the “benefits” of European football.

We won the game in the middle of the pitch where we had Joelinton and Willock and Nico competing and winning the ball.

And we certainly didn’t lose it in defence as Burn and Schar looked loads better than the other two. Keeper looked better too.

I think Palace took a gamble this time starting with Mateta and Wharton and they looked tired as the game went on. So, a win at last. Let’s hope we can build on it.

Credit to the manager for shaking things up. It needed doing and he did it.’

Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle 2 – Sunday 25 October 2026 2pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Osula 47, Barnes 58

Palace:

Possession was Newcastle 48% Palace 52%

Total shots were Newcastle 10 Palace 17

Shots on target were Newcastle 2 Palace 4

Corners were Newcastle 4 Palace 7

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 19 Palace 32

Newcastle team v Crystal Palace:

Hornicek, Dedic (Thiaw 95), Schar, Burn, Hall, Gonzalez, Willock (Ramsey 77), Joelinton (Steur 85), Barnes (Elanga 77), Murphy, Osula (Wissa 77)

Unused subs:

Pope, Botman, Bamba, Toure