Crystal Palace 0
Newcastle 2
Kluivert (80), Bellamy (88)

Newcastle's class in their attacking third proved decisive as Crystal Palace went down to their second Premiership defeat in a row at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Palace looked to have settled for a useful point until Patrick Kluivert's clever flick in the 80th minute and then Craig Bellamy's well-taken sixth goal of the season sealed the points for the Geordies who were expertly led by stand-in skipper Jermaine Jenas.

It was the third time this season that Palace have struggled following a international break and Eagles boss Iain Dowie admitted its something that needs be investigated to prevent it happening again.

Dowie said: "We have to look at how we deal with that. We have to address it because that's three lacklustre performances after international weeks.

"It's very difficult though, when you get the players back to the club on Thursday or Friday morning."

Boosted by the return of Fitz Hall and Andrew Johnson, Palace fancied getting a result against a Newcastle side that has lost its last four Premiership games.

They started in a confident mood. Joonas Kolkka was inches away from giving Palace a 14th minute lead when he cut in from the left and curled a right footed shot narrowly wide of the upright.

But a minute later Craig Bellamy nearly put Newcastle ahead when he lifted the ball over Kiraly only to see his effort land on the roof of the net.

Given came to Newcastle's rescue when he brilliantly tipped over Johnson's shot after the frontman connected with Emmerson Boyce's cross.

After the break the game was littered with miss-placed passes and the supply to both attacking forward lines was lacking in vital moments.

Newcastle began to dominate but could only test Kiraly with long range efforts.

But the game changed in the 80th minute when Bellamy found space on the Palace right after being fed by Jenas, and the Welshman found Kluivert in the box who expertly flicked the ball with the inside of his heal across Kiraly and into the net. Bellamy put the result beyond doubt with two minutes remaining.

MATCH STATS
Palace star man: Fitz Hall
Once again a dominant figure at the back who kept dangerous duo Bellamy and Kluivert quiet for most of the game. Palace missed him when he was injured in recent games, so his continued presence will be vital for Palace's relegation battle

Palace: Kiraly 7, Boyce 7, Hall 8, Popovic 7, Granville 7, Routledge 8, Watson 8, Riihilahti 8 (Freedman 84 6), Kolkka 7(Lakis 83 6), Hughes 7, Johnson 7. Subs Not Used: Speroni, Leigertwood, Andrews