Andros Townsend’s stunning free kick has seen Newcastle United climb out of the relegation zone courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Magpies gave their survival hopes a major boost with a fourth consecutive game without defeat, while Palace missed a penalty as Alan Pardew’s first return to St James’s Park ended in disappointment.
Jason Puncheon sent one mis-hit half-chance wide of the target in the opening 10 minutes before Wayne Hennessey was called into action for the first time, making a routine save to deny Georginio Wijnaldum.
Yannick Bolasie was looking like the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first half, and he tried his luck from a long way out on a counter-attack only to see his powerful effort fly a couple of yards past the post.
Chancel Mbemba tried a long-range strike of his own shortly afterwards having been invited to shoot by the hosts, and his low 35-yard shot needed to be pushed away by Hennessey.
It was Townsend who got the crucial opening goal too, winning a free for his side and then taking the set piece himself, curling a 25-yard effort past Hennessey on the keeper’s side.
St James’s Park erupted as the ball nestled into the back of the net, but the cheer was even louder 20 minutes from time when Darlow made himself a hero by saving Cabaye’s penalty.
There was initially shock around the ground when Mike Dean pointed to the spot for a handball against Wijnaldum, but that turned to delight when Darlow threw himself to his left to deny the former Newcastle midfielder.
The tension continued to rise as time ticked by, but the Magpies held out for a crucial victory that takes them one point clear of the drop zone with only two games of their season remaining.
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