Newcastle United 2-0 Crystal Palace result – Bruno Guimaraes and Malick Thiaw goals see Magpies kick off 2026 with a win

It might not have been the prettiest showing of the season, but Newcastle United kept on plugging away, and eventually got their reward as they defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at St. James' Park to get their 2026 off to a winning start.

In a scrappy encounter that was lacking in quality at times, Newcastle were the side who produced the moments that mattered, with second-half strikes from Bruno Guimaraes and Malick Thiaw securing the three points for Eddie Howe's men.

The hosts twice put the ball in the net in the first half, but on both occasions they were disallowed for offside. The first, a sweeping counter-attack that ended with Anthony Gordon finding the net, was overturned after a VAR review, while the second, a beautiful piece of skill from Joelinton, was immediately ruled out by an assistant's flag.

But in the second half, Newcastle turned up the pressure, and eventually made the breakthrough after boss Howe made a host of changes.

Guimaraes had just struck the crossbar from a corner when, in the next attack, he got on the end of Player of the Match Lewis Miley's cut back to nod home from close range and put the hosts ahead on 71 minutes.

Newcastle doubled the lead just seven minutes later when, just after Palace keeper Dean Henderson had brilliantly denied substitute Harvey Barnes, the resulting corner caused chaos in the Palace six-yard box, and defender Thiaw stabbed home from close range.

The scoreline could, and perhaps should, have been even better for Newcastle, when Barnes burst through and was denied by Henderson, only for substitute Joe Willock to fire wide with the goal at his mercy.

It proved to be the last chance of the match as Newcastle ran out 2-0 winners to move up from 14th to ninth in the Premier League table, just three points off a UEFA Europa League place. Palace, meanwhile, dropped from 11th to 14th.

Young full-back Lewis Miley had an outstanding day, and deservedly got the Player of the Match nod. He assisted for Guimaraes' goal, and was impeccable in attack and defence throughout this game.

His passing was not too shabby, either. His completion rate? 100%.

Newcastle should be 3-0 up.

Barnes charges in behind the Palace defence, and Henderson makes a superb save to deny the Newcastle winger.

The ball rolls back invitingly for the onrushing Willock, who only has to hit the target, and inexplicably, he puts his shot wide.

It's a shocker of a miss, but given the scoreline, it likely won't affect the end result.

There will be FIVE MINUTES of additional time at the end of this match.

Newcastle look comfortably on top now, and are pushing forward in search of a third.

The changes from Eddie Howe have paid off. The introduction of Barnes on the left has added energy to Newcastle's attack, while Woltemade has brought a physical presence in the penalty area.

We missed this in the aftermath of Guimaraes' opening strike – Brennan Johnson's day is done, as he is replaced by Christantus Uche for Palace.

The near-post corner causes chaos in the Palace box. Henderson saves well initially, but the ball pinballs around until it finds the feet of Newcastle centre half Malick Thiaw, who stabs it home to put Newcastle 2-0 up.

It's a long way back for Palace from here.

Newcastle are well on top now. A great cross from Schar finds Barnes, whose downward header is on its way to the bottom corner. But Henderson gets down brilliantly to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

It's a great save from the Palace keeper.

It's been coming, and Newcastle have finally broken the deadlock. A deep cross from Harvey Barnes finds Miley at the back stick, he stretches and pulls the ball back, and Bruno Guimaraes arrives right on time to head home the bouncing ball from close range.

St. James' Park explodes into life, and Newcastle lead 1-0.

Newcastle hit the woodwork from a corner as Guimaraes' whipped delivery beats everyone before bouncing off the crossbar.

It's another let-off for Palace, as Newcastle continue to turn the screw in search of an opening goal.

With the scoreline still blank, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has turned to his subs bench with a triple change.

Withdrawing the influential Gordon is an interesting call, but the Toon boss has clearly seen the need for changes, and wants to see some improvement in the final third.

His big attacking threat, Nick Woltemade, remains on the bench, however.