A 71st-minute goal from Fraizer Campbell earned Crystal Palace a point against Newcastle United this evening as Alan Pardew avoided defeat against his former club.
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Palace started the game brightly as Yaya Sanogo released the run of Wilfried Zaha down the inside right channel, but the winger's attempt to beat Tim Krul from a tight angle failed as he fired his strike straight at the keeper.
The Magpies responded as Yoan Gouffran raided forward to the edge of the area and was presented with the chance to shoot at goal, but the Frenchman decided to pass out wide, spurning the opening, which allowed the home side to clear.
The home side thought they had taken the lead when substitute Campbell latched on to Jason Puncheon's cross and flicked a header past Krul into the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
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Newcastle went ahead just before the break when Daryl Janmaat coasted down the right flank and cut the ball back into the box for Papiss Cisse to head past Julian Speroni.
In the second half, Palace tried to wrestle the initiative from the Magpies, but were unable to break down their resolute backline despite having plenty of possession in the final third of the pitch.
However, the resistance was broken in the 71st minute when substitute Yannick Bolasie raced down the wing and delivered a pinpoint cross for the head of Campbell to guide it into the net.
Alan Pardew's men were well on top as Bolasie had the visitors on their heels in the latter stages of the game, and he almost created a second goal as he teed up Zaha inside the box, but the winger's shot was well blocked by Janmaat.
The home side continued to press for a winning goal late in the game and were only denied by a save by Krul as he managed to get his fingertips to a headed effort from Brede Hangeland to turn it past the post.
Simon Sinclair
