Newcastle United first team players have impressed on Friday night against the Crystal Palace Under 21s | OneFootball

Friday night saw Crystal Palace the visitors to a cold, wet and windy Tyneside, as Newcastle United Under 21s hosted them at Whitley Park.

Two Newcastle United first team squad players can be ruled out of today’s Selhurst Park  clash.

As both Lewis Miley and Matt Targett were given starts on Friday night for the reserves, Eddie Howe deeming it the best choice to get minutes on the pitch after long absences through injury and then recovery.

Both first team squad players impressed and clearly added extra quality to the Under 21s.

The first real chance of the game halfway through the first-half, Ben Parkinson played through by Trevan Sanusi, but the striker seeing his effort blocked.

Lewis Miley creating the next opportunity, the midfielder picking out Johnny Emerson, who should have done better.

Just after the half hour mark Palace put a free-kick just missing the top corner and then the visitors quickly made to pay.

An excellent free-kick from Matt Targett out wide, was met by a perfect Ben Parkinson volley to give United the lead.

Five minutes after the break and Parkinson almost got his and Newcastle’s second but fired just off target.

Targett saw an effort saved and was eventually subbed on the hour mark.

Palace had their moments as well but Harris in the Newcastle goal was equal to it, plus a decent display as well by those in front of him to help keep the clean sheet.

Lewis Miley subbed off on 79 minutes after a good shift.

Alfie Harrison almost doubled the winning scoreline late on but the visiting keeper made a great save from his superb long-range effort, turning it onto the post.

A successful night all round for Newcastle United, as the Under 21s notched another victory and Eddie Howe got some valuable minutes into the legs of Lewis Miley and Matt Targett ahead of a busy schedule of first team matches coming up, when the Head Coach will need as many players as possible available.

Harris (GK), Shahar, Targett (Hefferman, 60), Hernes, McArthur, Murphy (Charlton, 60), Sanusi, L. Miley (Donaldson, 79), Parkinson, Turner-Cooke, Emerson (Harrison, 78).