All square as Newcastle frustrate Crystal Palace

Updated 04/02/2018 at 17:51 GMT

Premier League, Selhurst Park - Crystal Palace 1 (Milivojevic pen 55) Newcastle United 1 (Diame 22)

Kenedy of Newcastle United is challenged by Timothy Fosu-Mensah of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on February 4, 2018 in London, England.

Image credit: Eurosport

Newcastle United frustrated Crystal Palace to claim a 1-1 Premier League draw at Selhurst Park.

Palace had the best chance to open the scoring when Christian Benteke was set free by an incisive Patrick van Aanholt through-ball. Karl Darlow boldly came to the edge of his area to deny the Belgian.

In an open and entertaining game, the home side were guilty of leaving Newcastle forwards unmarked in dangerous areas - a folly which cost them when Mohamed Diane converted a Matt Ritchie corner for the opener.

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The Senegalese forward was completely unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box as he rifled in his fifth Newcastle career goal.

The teams traded chances, with Zaha and Benteke squandering notable efforts. Wayne Hennessey produced a pair of superb consecutive saves as on-loan Brazilian Kenedy and Ayoze Perez came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage.

Roy Hodgson's side found their equaliser when the assistant referee judged Ciaran Clark to have pulled Benteke’s shirt in the box. Referee Andre Marriner duly gave a penalty which Luka Milivojević converted.

The hosts had an opportunity to take three points on the dying moments when a Benteke header was cleared off the line by Clark. Both sides, however, enjoyed a wealth of chances in an action-packed affair.

The draw lifted Newcastle a point above the drop zone, while Palace climbed above Southampton into 14th place.

Mohamed Diame celebrates scoring for Newcastle against Crystal Palace

Image credit: Getty Images

TALKING POINT: Will Newcastle avoid the drop?

Most of the bottom half of the Premier League is in danger of relegation, but Newcastle sit a point above the relegation zone. They have certainly added quality to the squad in Kenedy, but do they have enough to avoid a successive Premier League relegation?

MAN OF THE MATCH: Jonjo Shelvey

The Newcastle midfielder did a superb job of orchestrating attacking movements and delivered several dangerous balls into the box. His opposite number Luka Milivojević also deserves similar credit.

PLAYER RATINGS

Crystal Palace: Hennessey 8, Van Aanholt 7, Tomkins 7, Fosu-Mensah 7, Kelly 6, Milivojevic 7, McArthur 7, Cabaye 7, Townsend 6, Zaha 7, Benteke 6... Subs: Sakho 6.

Newcastle: Darlow 6, Yedlin, 5 Clark 6, Dummett 7, Lascelles 7, Shelvey 7, Ritchie 7, Diame 7, Kenedy 7, Perez 7, Gayle 7... Subs: Merino 6, Atsu 6.

Paul Dummett and Andros Townsend battle for the ball during Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Image credit: Getty Images

KEY MOMENTS

22' - GOAL! A low Ritchie corner goes through traffic and is turned into an empty net by Diame! The forward was on the back post on his own for that one - that's terrible set piece defending.

31' - CHANCE! Fosu-Mensah delivers a brilliant low cross to Zaha on the edge of the six-yard box, but his shot deflects off of Benteke for a goal kick. That really should have been the equaliser.

33' - CHANCE! Perez finds Kenedy in the box with a SUBLIME through-ball. The Brazilian cuts onto his right foot and forces a brilliant save form Hennessey! The Welsh 'keeper saves again from Perez's follow-up!

55' - GOAL! Milivojević converts from the spot! Darlow got his fingertips to it, but it wasn't enough to keep it out. Clark conceded the penalty after pulling Benteke's shirt.

88' - CHANCE! Zaha crosses to Benteke, whose header is cleared off the line! How did that stay out?!