Guimarães and Thiaw's stellar performance propelled Newcastle to victory, while Palace's winless streak continued. Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, described January as pivotal for his team, and his delight was evident as he secured three crucial points. The match, however, was far from straightforward. By the 78th minute, when Thiaw's corner kick found its way past Dean Henderson, the Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner, visibly conceded defeat. Palace, despite their struggles, had shown promise in an otherwise uninspiring encounter, almost securing a draw in a match as frigid as the wintry conditions in Tyneside.
The game began with a few early highlights. Henderson showcased his agility by tipping Fabian Schär's header over the crossbar, and Yoane Wissa's precise pass set up Anthony Gordon for a goal, which was later disallowed due to Wissa's offside position. Newcastle's attacking duo of Gordon and Wissa posed a threat, and their pace might have resulted in a goal if Yeremy Pino hadn't been denied by Thiaw's exceptional interception. Palace, hampered by injuries, struggled to counter Newcastle's aggression.
The first half saw Palace squander opportunities. Joelinton, in an offside position, managed to score after a long pass from Schär, leaving Marc Guéhi and his teammates baffled. Jean-Philippe Mateta narrowly missed a chance to score, but the atmosphere in the stadium remained subdued. The arrival of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham added a spark, but Palace's performance was inconsistent. Will Hughes and Pino's slick one-two nearly resulted in a goal, but Hughes' shot went wide, leaving him dejected.
Newcastle's midfield, particularly Sandro Tonali, struggled with an early challenge from Maxence Lacroix, while Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães appeared fatigued. The team's lack of control was evident, and Howe's preference for Lewis Miley in central midfield became apparent. Despite this, the second half saw an open game, with Palace's defense, including Guéhi, keeping the score level. The tension grew as Palace's fans grew increasingly frustrated.
However, Guimarães' header from Harvey Barnes' cross and Miley's assist secured Newcastle's victory. Thiaw's goal soon after sealed Palace's seventh-game winless streak across all competitions. Howe's team, despite their challenges, emerged victorious, leaving Palace's winless run intact.
