Newcastle hands plucky Palace a late loss
Newcastle United looked to be heading for a fourth match in succession without a win before Mikel Merino nodded home the winner against Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace was denied its first away Premier League point of the season as Mikel Merino's late header earned Newcastle United a 1-0 win at St James' Park.
Fresh from a long-awaited maiden victory of the campaign against champion Chelsea last weekend, Roy Hodgson's visitors had been the most threatening side in a game desperately lacking in quality and goalmouth action.
Wilfried Zaha was the Eagles' most lively attacking outlet and should have scored after 40 minutes, instead heading wide from Andros Townsend's cross.
The first half's biggest talking point was a thundering challenge from Yohan Cabaye on DeAndre Yedlin, which could easily have seen the Frenchman receive his marching orders. Referee Stuart Attwell, however, deemed it worthy of only a caution.
Rafael Benitez's side offered nothing in an attacking sense for much of the contest, with Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey's shots from distance among their only chances of note.
But a late flurry of pressure saw Merino climb highest to head past Julian Speroni from a corner, his first Newcastle goal earning three much-needed points for the promoted side.
The result ends Newcastle's winless of three games, while Palace remains rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just three points from nine games.
