New Year New Newcastle United: A convincing win and a clean sheet kicks off the Magpies' 2026

Newcastle United got 2026 off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James' Park.

It was one of those games where Newcastle could, and should have had more goals but for offsides, Dean Henderson and Joe Willock, the Magpies had to make do with just two.

We had to wait for a goal to actually count, but for once, when we went ahead, we actually looked to build on the lead rather than think the game was already won.

Anthony Gordon had the ball in the net in the first half, and after all the celebrations had died down, VAR ruled it to be offside by the tightest of margins. Hurry up and bring in the Arsene Wenger rule!

Joelinton and Lewis Miley were outstanding for Newcastle today

Joelinton also scored in the first half, but was also deemed to be offside. It was more obvious, however, and we couldn't really gripe about it, but it was a superb finish by the Brazilian who deserved a goal for his performance today.

Eddie Howe made a trio of substitutions on the hour, and less than ten minutes later, the Magpies were in front thanks to Bruno Guimaraes after some quality play by Lewis Miley to keep the ball in play and divert it into the path of Bruno. Miley had another outstanding game playing out of position and certainly deserved to rack up another goal contribution.

It took just seven minutes for Newcastle to double their lead, once again coming from a set piece, and this time it was centre-back Malick Thiaw who poked the ball home after a goal-line scramble.

Newcastle climb back into the top half of the Premier League

There was a worry for Newcastle when Jacob Murphy went to the ground holding his hamstring. He was replaced by Joe Willock, who had a golden chance to wrap the game up but managed to shoot wide with the goal gaping.

If Leeds United seriously want to sign Joe Willock, I'll give him a piggyback to Elland Road myself. I imagine after seeing that up close, Crystal Palace will have ended their interest right there and then.

That win puts Newcastle up to ninth in the league, just one point behind Sunderland, who managed to scrape another draw today after being behind for much of the game. Newcastle would have gone ahead on goal difference had they not managed to salvage that point. Still, that gap isn't looking so special now, is it?