Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez celebrates with Andros Townsend at the end of their match against Crystal Palace in London April 30, 2016.
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But it was third choice keeper Darlow – only in the side because of long-term knee injuries suffered by Tim Krul and Rob Elliot – who ensured a priceless victory when he dived to his left to block a tame spot-kick from France worldwide Cabaye, who was mercilessly booed by Newcastle fans.
Palace fought for a way back into the game as an increasingly nervous Newcastle dropped ever deeper in an attempt to preserve their lead, and the Eagles got their chance were awarded a penalty for handball by Moussa Sissoko as he challenged Scott Dann with 20 minutes remaining.
Karl Darlow hopes his penalty save against Crystal Palace will be remembered as the moment that secured Newcastle’s Premier League status.
Victory in their final two games might be enough to avoid a second relegation in seven years.
That came when the Magpies invested £12million in his services in January, and his most telling contribution yet came on Saturday when he smashed a 58th-minute free-kick past Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey to clinch three priceless points.
“It’s important for us and for the fans to see the table and that we’re out of the bottom three”, said Benitez, who is eight games into a 10-match rescue mission he inherited when replacing former England boss Steve McClaren in March.
“We have to be ready for the game against Aston Villa, enjoy this game a little bit, but be ready for Villa”.
“The penalty save was a good moment for me”.
“That’s the only way you can approach our situation”.
Andros Townsend has revealed the free-kick which dragged Newcastle out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone was honed on Tottenham’s training pitches.
Both the Black Cats and the Canaries have a game in hand on Newcastle.
“We have our destiny in our own hands and have got to play better so if the referee slips up we have got to make sure it doesn’t cost us”, he said. Just send him the video.
“Three or four of my players don’t drink”. Perhaps he meant Coca-Cola.
Millen too responded to Allardyce’s comments, saying: “They didn’t affect us”.
The visitors had looked well beaten against Stoke City before a push on Defoe by Geoff Cameron gave the striker his chance from the spot, the striker duly converting for his 17th goal of the season.
“We made it a really tough game for Newcastle, who are fighting for their lives”.
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He said: “I have scored goals when we were 5-0 down and 3-0 down, then a third goal in a 3-0 win against Swansea”.
