PRESSURE LIFTED OFF BENITEZ? GOALLESS IN LONDON

Crystal Palace and Newcastle United play out a goalless stalemate at Selhurst Park, as the pressure lifts off Rafael Benitez ever so slightly...

The first-half was one of few chances with Palace probably edging the opening 45 minutes, with Newcastle riding their luck a bit.

Luka Milivojevic hit the post with his curling free-kick that had beaten Martin Dubravka between the sticks for the visitors.

That's as close as any side came, in what was, a pretty poor first-half in terms of football.

Newcastle slightly improved as the second-half began and offered more going forward than they managed in the first-half.

However, the lack of attacking intent was evident from the Magpies and they never really troubled the Palace defence.

The game ended goalless and Benitez's men move up to 18th, which is a slight positive from what's been thus far, an underwhelming season.

Palace move above Everton, who take on Arsenal tomorrow, into 11th place - in a game, they perhaps will be disappointed not to win.