Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes inspired his side to victory as they began the new year with a hard-fought victory against Crystal Palace.
Head coach Eddie Howe called January a “season-defining” month for his side before the game and suggested Newcastle “won’t get another chance” to kick-start their league season once and for all.
Yet it looked like both sides were set to share the spoils after Anthony Gordon and Joelinton had goals disallowed in the first half, and Will Hughes wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Crystal Palace.
But Guimaraes led by example with another big goal on home soil to break the deadlock with less than 20 minutes to go.
It was Guimaraes who got there ahead of Justin Devenny to head the ball past Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and give the host lift-off.
Newcastle have dropped some precious points from winning positions this season but, this time, Howe’s side finished strongly and Guimaraes had a big hand in his side’s second.
It was from his inswinging corner kick that Newcastle doubled their lead after Henderson could only parry the wicked delivery, and the ball eventually fell to Malick Thiaw, who swept home.
Newcastle leapfrogged Crystal Palace in the table in the process and have moved up to ninth.
Palace, meanwhile, have slipped to 14th and Oliver Glasner’s side are now without a win in seven games in all competitions.
