Crystal Palace ensure Premier League safety by beating Newcastle 2-0
Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew, centre, vies for the ball with Newcastle United's Elliot Anderson, left and Dan Burn , during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, at Selhurst Park, London, Wednesday April 24, 2024. Credit: AP/John Walton
LONDON — Crystal Palace made certain of Premier League safety after a 2-0 win against Newcastle on Wednesday.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored for a fifth straight home match to secure the win and Palace's resurgence under Oliver Glasner following recent victories against West Ham and Liverpool.
Mateta broke the deadlock at Selhurst Park with a smart 55th-minute finish before he added a second late on to end Newcastle’s four-match unbeaten run.
Palace is 14th in the standings and 14 points above the relegation zone. Luton in 18th place has just four games remaining.
Mateta put Palace ahead after a slick one-two with Jordan Ayew before he slid a shot home.
It was Palace’s first goal against Newcastle in seven meetings.
Newcastle pushed for a late leveler, but Palace made sure of the points in the 88th.
Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz, left, heads the ball over Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes during a Premier League soccer match at Selhurst Park in London, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Credit: AP/John Walton
Will Hughes exchanged passes with substitute Jeffrey Schlupp before he teed up Mateta, who scuffed a shot through the legs of Martin Dubravka for his eighth goal in nine games since the arrival of Glasner in February.