For Steve Bruce, anything would have been an improvement on his side’s last two performances. The embattled Newcastle manager arrived in south
London with criticism still ringing his ears following two successive 2-0 defeats and left with the club’s first victory at this ground since 2013 thanks to two goals in the last three minutes from Callum Wilson – his seventh of the season – and Joelinton.
On a night that was characterised by a series of missed chances at either end before Newcastle eventually broke the deadlock, only the Brazilian’s third
Premier League goal since his £40m move from Hoffenheim in 2019 came minutes after he had passed up a gilt-edged opportunity to give his side the lead. But after teeing up Wilson’s smart finish 60 seconds earlier, a huge deflection when his shot struck Gary Cahill ensured it was very much Newcastle’s night in the end.