Crystal Palace secured their first win of 2020 thanks to Patrick van Aanholt’s superb first-half free-kick which saw off visitors Newcastle.
The victory also ended a run of three league defeats for Roy Hodgson’s side who benefitted from yet another ragged display by the visitors.
The Magpies’ regular saviour Martin Dubravka had made two superb stops from Gary Cahill and Scott Dann before Van Aanholt found a way past him just before half-time with a glorious 20-yard strike.
Jordan Ayew went close on a couple of occasions, one of which came off the foot of the post, while Belgian Christian Benteke really should have done better with a header from six yards out.
Newcastle managed only two shots on target. Vicente Guaita was at full stretch to keep out a long-range effort from Joelinton and tipped over a fierce effort from Fabian Schar.
And to round off a thoroughly disappointing day for the visitors, January signing Valentino Lazaro was shown a straight red in stoppage time for hauling down Wilfried Zaha, who was through on goal.
The win moves Palace above Newcastle into 13th with 33 points. Newcastle drop down to 14th, with 31 points, seven clear of the drop zone.
