Crystal Palace salvaged a crucial 1-1 draw against Newcastle United dramatically on Saturday at Selhurst Park. Daniel Muñoz, who had endured a frustrating evening with two missed opportunities, rose to the occasion in the 94th minute to nod home Marc Guehi’s lofted cross and spark jubilant celebrations among the home fans.

The result provided a lifeline for Palace, moving them out of the relegation zone on goal difference. At the same time, Newcastle missed an opportunity to close in on the Premier League’s top four. For the Magpies, it was a bitter pill to swallow, having entered the match aiming to rebound from their humbling defeat to West Ham earlier in the week.

Persistence Pays Off for Palace

Newcastle appeared set to claim all three points after a disastrous moment for Marc Guehi, who inadvertently bundled Anthony Gordon’s low cross into his net just eight minutes after halftime. The goal came from a well-executed short free kick, with Gordon linking smartly with Sandro Tonali before delivering the decisive ball into the danger zone.

Palace, however, refused to fold. Guehi redeemed himself with an assist for Muñoz’s late equalizer, showing resilience and composure after his earlier misstep. As the final whistle blew, the sense of relief among the Palace players, fans, and manager Oliver Glasner was palpable.

Munoz providing the late scenes:#CPFC // #CRYNEW pic.twitter.com/ohfbxA2L1R

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 30, 2024

Takeaways

Palace’s Pressure Finally Pays Off

Statistically, Palace dominated the match, racking up 16 shots with an xG of 1.29 compared to Newcastle’s solitary attempt, worth just 0.02 xG. The Eagles’ inability to capitalize on their chances earlier in the game—including two glaring misses by Muñoz—seemed destined to cost them. But their relentless attacking effort was rewarded in the dying moments.

Frustrating First Half

The opening half was a frustrating affair for both teams, marked by the Premier League’s first goalless 45 minutes without a shot on target this season. Palace showed promise through quick counter-attacks but lacked the clinical edge to break the deadlock.

Defensive Solidity: A Silver Lining

Despite the lapse leading to Newcastle’s goal, Palace’s defense, led by Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, and Maxence Lacroix, was relentless. They limited Newcastle to just one blocked shot all game. Tyrick Mitchell, though questioned for his offensive contributions, remained a defensive stalwart.

Offensive Struggles Persist

Palace’s issues in front of goal continued. Ismaïla Sarr was a constant threat but couldn’t find the back of the net, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and substitutes Eddie Nketiah and Jeffrey Schlupp failed to make meaningful contributions. Manager Glasner must address these misfiring tendencies if the Eagles are to climb the table.

Looking Ahead

While Palace showed resilience, their struggles in converting chances remain a concern. The upcoming clash with fellow strugglers Ipswich Town on Tuesday offers an opportunity to build momentum and potentially distance themselves further from the relegation battle.

For Newcastle, the focus will shift to reigniting their push for European qualification as they regroup after another frustrating result. Eddie Howe’s side will hope for a swift recovery from injuries, particularly to star forward Alexander Isak, whose early exit affected their attacking output.