Wilson’s fourth goal in five Premier League games this term was one to savour – a magnificent piece of improvisation with his back to goal on 65 minutes.
That bicycle kick proved vital in the end, as it cancelled out Christian Benteke’s earlier header to make sure Graeme Jones’ men returned to Tyneside with a share of the spoils after a hard-fought encounter at Selhurst Park.
They had to survive a late VAR scare, though, as Benteke’s towering header was ruled out with just three minutes remaining after a foul by Marc Guehi.
Jones handed a first start of the season to winger Ryan Fraser, who formed part of a three-pronged attack alongside Allan Saint-Maximin and Wilson.
But Palace’s frontline were first to threaten inside the opening 30 seconds. It was a quick burst down the left, which culminated in Benteke diverting a half-chance over the top after some good work from his strike partner Odsonne Edouard.
Newcastle looked more solid than in recent weeks, though, and Isaac Hayden’s crunching tackle on Luka Milivojevic – in which he was actually fouled by the Serbian midfielder – set the tone for what was a committed showing.
They could have snatched the lead after 15 minutes, too, when Emil Krafth’s flick over his shoulder was halted on the line by Guehi before Wilson turned the rebound into the sidenetting.
In the end, the best chance of the half fell to the hosts. The lively Michael Olise’s cross was perfect for Benteke but his header came back off the base of the post, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow reacting quickly to keep out Tyrick Mitchell’s follow-up.
Benteke was at the heart of the first opportunity after the restart as well, as his scissor kick flew just over Darlow’s crossbar after Conor Gallagher’s cross picked him out in the middle.
And five minutes before the hour mark, the Belgian finally found the target. It owed much to the industry of Gallagher, who kept possession before teeing up Mitchell to cross. Benteke attacked it, nodding beyond Darlow’s reach to give Patrick Vieira’s side the lead.
He nearly had another soon after, glancing another Olise delivery from the right onto the top of the Newcastle crossbar.
But with 25 minutes remaining, the Magpies levelled the scores in spectacular fashion. It came following a corner in which Jamaal Lascelles’ knock-down struck Krafth, and the bounce fell towards Wilson. United’s number nine reacted instinctively, hooking in an overhead kick which found the top corner, leaving Vicente Guaita helpless.
Jones then introduced Joe Willock and Miguel Almirón with 25 minutes remaining in a bid to add some energy and punch to United’s midfield, and for a spell his charges looked to have forced their way into the ascendency.
The hosts remained a latent threat, however, and the best chance to win it fell once more to Benteke. Play clean through on goal with only Darlow to beat, the former Liverpool frontman looked certain to score but somehow pulled his left-footed shot wide of the upright.
And though Benteke had the ball in the net with just minutes remaining, it was ruled out by referee Darren England after a VAR consultation after Guehi’s foul in the box, meaning both sides had to be content with a point apiece amid all the late drama.
