Toon survive a Palace onslaught

THIS was grubby, it was fortunate in its way and it was awfully hard won, like a penny from Mike Ashley’s pockets. But that is what Newcastle will need to do 12 more times to survive now that there are no apparitions in the transfer window who might save them. Instead all Rafa Benitez got were three loan deals and a sense that the next three months will be a slog. The funny thing is, this game, on the basis of scorelines alone, might look like two points dropped because Newcastle led via Mohamed Diame at halftime. But make no mistake, this was a point saved because once Luka Milivojevic levelled with a penalty, Palace were swarming all over Newcastle. Karl Darlow made good saves, Ciaran Clark made two blocks on the line — 21 shots all told for Roy Hodgson’s side. Palace shaded the chances before Newcastle took the lead on 22 minutes. The delivery was sent in low by Kenedy, Ayoze Perez got a faint touch to flick along the six-yard box and Diame finished at the back post. Palace were level on 55 minutes, after Clark had tugged Christian Benteke’s shirt as he attempted to reach a cross. Darlow got a solid hand on Milivojevic’s kick but couldn’t stop it. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-5-1): Hennessey 7;Fosu-Mensah 6, Kelly 6 (Sakho 45, 6), Tomkins 6, Van Aanholt 7; Townsend 6, Milivojevic 7, Cabaye 6.5, McArthur 7, ZAHA 7.5; Benteke 6.5. Subs not used: Ward, Sorloth, Lee, Souare, Henry, Riedewald. Scorer: Milivojevic 55 (pen). Booked: Fosu-Mensah. Manager: Roy Hodgson 6. NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Darlow 7; Yedlin 6.5, Lascelles 6, Clark 5.5, Dummett 6; Shelvey 7, Diame 7 (Hayden 65, 6.5); Ritchie 6.5, Perez 6.5 (Merino 80), Kenedy 6.5 (Atsu 57, 6); Gayle 6. Subs not used: Dubravka, Manquillo, Lejeune, Murphy. Scorer: Diame 22. Booked: Dummett. Manager: Rafa Benitez 6.5. Referee: Andre Marriner 7. Attendance: 25,746.