Game In Pics: Crystal Palace 0 v 3 Newcastle Utd

 Despite the wind and the rain at Selhurst Park Newcastle United Alan Pardew managed to be all smiles throughout the first half of the game against Crystal Palace this afternoon and nobody could complain at the end of the game when he had just seen his side keep a clean sheet away from home.

Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye opened the scoring in the 25^th minute with his 15^th goal in his 74^th appearance for the club.

A chance and a corner, free kick and corner all in the 30^th minute meant that Newcastle had to work harder than they had during the first half an hour as Crystal Palace put the first bit of pressure on Pardew’s side.

There was a chance for striker Loic Remy in the 33^rd minute of the game, but he was caught offside for the second time of the afternoon.

Crystal Palace’s Danny Gabbidon made it two for Newcastle in the 39^th, a handy extended lead for Newcastle who as we know can quite easily make like harder for themselves when they are a goal to the good.

Newcastle had had 70% possession at half time.

Cabaye had a great free kick saved by Speroni in the 55^th minute before Chamakh had a shot for Crystal Palace in the 62^nd, his first of the match.

Cheik Tiote picked up the first yellow card of the game in the 64^th minute which means he will miss the game against Stoke City on Boxing Day, swiftly followed by a card for Coloccini in the 66^th.

Crystal Palace had an excellent chance to get back in the game in the 67^th minute when a free kick by Puncheon was headed back across goal to Cameron Jerome who sent it straight over the crossbar.

Newcastle had yet another shot on goal, with Cabaye’s effort saved by Speroni in the 77^th minute of the game before he was substituted in favour of Hatem Ben Arfa in the 79^th minute. HBA made an instant impact setting up Yoan Gouffran who hit the post with an excellent strike. Ben Arfa had his own strike in the 80^th minute which was again saved by Speroni.

Marouane Chamakh picked up a yellow card for a foul on Coloccini and he will miss Palace’s next game against Aston Villa through suspension.

Shola Ameobi was fouled in the 84^th minute of the game and awarded a penalty which was quickly lined up by Hatem Ben Arfa who smashed it into the top of the net making it 3 -0 to Newcastle and making a very clear statement to Alan Pardew.

Newcastle win 3-0 and keep a clean sheet away from home.

Merry Christmas everyone!