Flashback: Almiron’s first goal pushes Newcastle past Palace

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the only goal of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on December 21, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the only goal of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on December 21, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Newcastle United got a late goal from Miguel Almiron to defeat Crystal Palace in late-December.

After a humbling loss vs. Arsenal over the weekend, Newcastle United turn their sights towards Crystal Palace. Before the Magpies meet Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, we revisit the previous matchup between the clubs this season.

The Details

Newcastle United 1, Crystal Palace 0

12/21/19 at St. James’ Park

The Lineups

Newcastle United

Dubravka

Manquillo/Schar/Fernandez/Lejeune/Dummett

Hayden/Shelvey/Almiron

Joelinton/Carroll

Subs: Gayle, S. Longstaff, Yedlin

Crystal Palace

Guaita

Kelly/Tomkins/Kouyate/van Aanholt

McCarthy/Milivojevic/McArthur

Ayew/Benteke/Zaha

Subs: Meyer

The Recap

Newcastle United suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Burnley before flipping the script and doing the same thing to Palace. Playing at home, the Magpies were second-best most of the match. Palace held the edge in shots, possession, and corner kicks. But, it was a historic goal that gave Newcastle United a surprising win.

Late in the match, Fabian Schar sent in a cross from the right wing and Andy Carroll nodded it towards Miguel Almiron. The electrifying winger smashed home the ball and stunned Palace with his first-ever Premier League goal. That play itself was important and interesting, given how the match had gone up until that point. Andy Carroll was great all day, pressing the backline. His involvement in the winning goal wasn’t surprising. But, to the contrary, Javier Manquillo and Paul Dummett struggled to send in quality crosses and it was a cross that finally led to the goal.

The fixture marked the return of Almiron, Jonjo Shelvey, and Florian Lejeune to the lineup. Shelvey was excellent in spreading the ball around the pitch and Lejeune helped Martin Dubravka to keep a clean sheet at home in the win.