Newcastle left Selhurst Park with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in Premier League gameweek 8, scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes of the second half and then keeping the home side out.
William Osula struck in the 47th minute and Harvey Barnes added the second in the 58th. Palace, who had more of the ball and the shots, had nothing to show for it.
The decisive moments
The first half produced only two Newcastle bookings, for Nico González in the 36th minute and Fabian Schär in first-half stoppage time (45+1). Two minutes after the restart Newcastle were in front.
Jacob Murphy provided the assist and Osula scored in the 47th minute. Eleven minutes later Amar Dedic set up Barnes for the second in the 58th.
Palace were booked three times as they chased the game: Yéremy Pino (75th), Anan Khalaili (80th) and Jaydee Canvot (90+3). Lewis Hall, in the 78th, was Newcastle's third caution.
What the numbers say
The statistics favour the beaten side. Palace had 16 shots to Newcastle's 10, and four of them were on target against two. They also won six corners to four and had 53% of possession to Newcastle's 47%.
Newcastle were far more efficient. They had two shots on target and scored with both. Palace had seven shots off target and five blocked, and were caught offside four times to Newcastle's once.
It fits a pattern in the season numbers. Expected goals data via Fantasy Premier League, which measures the quality of chances created, had Palace averaging 1.35 xG per game over seven matches with data, against 1.13 goals per game overall. Newcastle's figure was lower, at 1.16 xG per game. This time the finishing went the other way.
Jean-Philippe Mateta started for Palace. FPL's data had him on 2.06 xG without a goal before this game, and he did not break that run here.
What it means
Newcastle are seventh with 11 points from eight games and a goal difference of minus two. They had won only one of their previous five matches, and the clean sheet adds to a win over Hull City in that run.
Palace are 17th with seven points from eight games and a goal difference of minus 10. They are three points above Sunderland, who are 20th on four points having played seven.
Palace had won the last meeting, 2-1 at home on 12 April 2026. Newcastle have now won four of the last seven between the sides, going by the recent head-to-head record.
MFF's match model had predicted a 2-1 Newcastle win, with a 39% chance of an away victory against 37% for Palace. It was right about the winner but wrong on the scoreline.
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