Wilson praises Newcastle 'character' for Crystal Palace draw | OneFootball

Callum Wilson's magnificent overhead kick cancelled out Christian Benteke's opener as Newcastle held Crystal Palace to a draw in the Magpies' first game since the departure of manager Steve Bruce.

Graeme Jones, Bruce's former assistant, took charge of the visitors at Selhurst Park following the 60-year-old's dismissal by the club's new Saudi-backed owners on Wednesday.

The Magpies were second best for the majority of the game but earned a share of the spoils when Wilson sent an acrobatic volley into the top corner after Palace had failed to clear a Newcastle corner.

Eagles striker Benteke had opened the scoring 11 minutes into the second half, powering a header into the bottom corner from Tyrick Mitchell's deep cross.

Benteke also struck the woodwork in both halves, heading Michael Oliseh's teasing delivery against the foot of the post in the first before sending a looping header onto the top of the crossbar in the second.

In an eventful afternoon for the Belgian striker, he spurned a glorious opportunity to restore Palace's advantage when he fired into the side-netting from James McArthur's through ball, before having a late goal ruled out by VAR for a foul against Marc Guehi.

Palace's sixth draw of the season leaves them in 15th place - five points above Newcastle, who remain second bottom on four points and without a win this season.

Wilson later said: "We were unfortunate to go behind but we showed great character to get back into the game.

"We were hoping it was a foul [for Benteke's disallowed goal]. Two players were on the floor so we knew something must have happened.

"After the week we had it was important to get a positive result. It's a point on the board and something to build on. It's baby steps – we're going in the right way.

"I was waiting for one opportunity in the game. Sometimes they come so high so it was an instinctive finish. I was glad it found the back of the net.

"You have to stay professional. We're professional athletes at the end of the day. Whether the change is positive or not, you have to get on with it and try and get a result."