Hello and welcome to another afternoon of Premier League action here on Sports Mole. Our focus is Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United.

It is an intriguing match at Selhurst Park, with both teams in good form. Hopefully, that guarantees that we'll have an exciting 90 minutes but, for now, let's look at the teams news which has just come in.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni; Mariappa, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey, Ward; Jedinak, Puncheon, Bannan; Chamakh, Jerome

SUBS: Price, Parr, Campana, Bolasie, Williams, Phillips, Gayle

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Anita, Cabaye, Tiote; Sissoko, Remy, Gouffran

SUBS: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Cisse

So, Yohan Cabaye returns to the Newcastle team after serving a one-match ban. Shola Ameobi drops down to the bench with the Magpies making just one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Southampton last weekend. Remy and Gouffran continue in attack with support from Sissoko.

For Palace, Dean Moxey has recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place in the team, but Stuart O'Keefe and Kagisho Dikgacoi are still out injured. The in-form Chamakh partners Jerome in attack.

Let's get back to the build up and we'll begin with Palace. Tony Pulis has had an enormous impact since arriving at Selhurst Park, and a third successive home win could see Palace move out of the bottom three, depending on other results. The former Stoke boss has carried on the work of Keith Millen to give the Eagles a realistic chance of staying up.

Last Saturday they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, but crucially beat fellow strugglers West Ham United and Cardiff City before that. With the games coming thick and fast during the festive season, Palace could welcome in the new year outside the relegation zone.

But, what is it that Pulis has done to instigate the turnaround? Joel Ward claimed earlier this week that Palace had found their "identity" under the new manager.

He told the London Evening Standard: "We have a great bunch of guys, a good manager and we are starting to really click and form an identity in the way we play. We are hard to break down and we can hurt teams. Now we will keep moving forward, keep building and can turn the season around."

Another reason has been the form of Marouane Chamakh, who has found a new lease of life in recent weeks with goals in each of the last three fixtures, including the winner against West Ham. Pulis told The Sun: "We have played Marouane in a different role and he has blossomed.

"We have got a player that we can play through. If you give him the ball, he can make things happen and he can certainly take you up the pitch. He is important to us and the rest of the lads understand that."

"They are getting used to the fact that we have to try and play through him as much as we can to make us a team that can create chances. He has enjoyed it and his performances over the last few games have been quite outstanding," Pulis added.

But what of their opponents? Newcastle are sixth in the Premier League, five points behind Manchester City. Tim Krul says that part of the reason for their improvement this season is their ability to grind out results, as they did against Southampton.

"It was a good point, it keeps Southampton at a distance. Last year we would have lost these type of games so I am pleased we took a point in the end," he told the Evening Chronicle.

After that battle against the Saints last weekend, Pardew is expecting another today, and said earlier this week that his players would have to stand up to Palace's style of play.

"Tony plays a brand of football that's tough to play against - physical, demanding and at times, direct and you need to be able to stand up and be counted in that manner," he told Sky Sports News.

"All his teams have tested better teams than us on that level and won. But for us, it's about how we are playing, and we are playing really well at the minute."

It's a special afternoon for Pardew, as mentioned in the introduction. During four years as a Palace player, his finest moment was the winning goal against Liverpool in the 1990 FA Cup semi-final.

Speaking of his time at the club, Pardew told reporters: "We finished third one year, which would be unheard of now. We got to the final. We had a really good side. I loved it there, and still love going back there. It's a home for me in terms of my memories."

REF WATCH: Today's referee is Neil Swarbrick, who has dished out one red card and 38 bookings in 12 matches this season.

PREDICTION: We're not far from kickoff now, so time for a prediction. This is a very tough one to call. On current form, Newcastle just shade it, but Palace have the home advantage. However, I think the Magpies will have just too much for their opponents, so I'll go for 2-1 to the away side.

A wet away end at Selhurst Park today.

Welcome to the vistors' section at a soggy Selhurst Park where @NUFCOfficial take on @Official_CPFC. #NUFC #CRYNEW pic.twitter.com/niPDRD1bxW — Newcastle United FC (@NUFCOfficial) December 21, 2013

The teams are out on the pitch and it's almost time to get underway.

KICKOFF! The ref blows his whistle and Newcastle get the game started in the pouring rain.

It really is awful weather today at Selhurst Park. There's been very little in terms of chances early on, but I wonder if the weather will play a part?

KICKOFF! The ref blows his whistle and Newcastle get the game started in the pouring rain.

Newcastle have had the majority of possession early on, but they have yet to test the Palace defence. Both goalkeepers have had early touches, but the Magpies have it in dangerous territory.

That moves comes to nothing as Yoan Gouffran in penalised for a foul in the box. Sissoko has put a decent ball in, but Palace have it.

Both look comfortable on the ball in the opening five minutes, but there's been a lack of quality with the final pass. Palace push forward from midfield, but the move breaks down and Newcastle break. However, Anita's pass is poor and it rolls into the arms of Julian Speroni.

That's better from Newcastle, and Anita in particular. A short throw in is played to the midfielder, who then curls in a good cross from the right. The Palace defence are alert, however, and manage to get it back to Speroni.

A few high balls seem to be getting caught in the wind. It might not be a great day for the defenders and goalkeepers if this weather carries on.

WIDE! Davide Santon cuts in from the left and decides to have a go with his right foot rather than find a teammate. It's a poor effort, though, and it goes well wide.

SAVE! Bannan lines up a free kick after Anita had brought down Chamakh, but his curling effort is too close to Krul who makes a routine save. Better from Palace.

So, in the last few minutes we've had shots at both ends, which is an improvement on the first 10 minutes of this match. However, there's no doubt that we need a spark to liven this one up.

CHANCE! That's more like it! Anita plays a lovely ball to Debuchy, whose cross is cut out for a corner. The ball is swung in and the French full-back gets up highest, but his flicked header is wide of the post.

The away side look threatening now. They are moving the ball with speed, and seem particularly keen to play in Debuchy down the right side.

They've been the better side and now Newcastle have the goal that they probably deserve. The ball is moved around on the edge of the Palace box, before Sissoko breaks in from the right and slips a pass to Cabaye. The midfielder hits a low shot and a deflection takes it past Speroni. Now the home side need to respond.

Another half chance for the visitors and again it comes from the right side. A cross comes in, but Gouffran misses his kick and the move breaks down.

CHANCES! It's almost 1-1! Bannan pushes forward from midfield and finds Marouane Chamakh, who then gives it to Jerome. A scuffed clearance by Santon allows the striker to turn and get a low shot away, which Krul pushes out for a corner. The ball in is missed by the away goalkeeper and Anita has to clear off the line.

No doubt that this is Palace's best spell of the match. A succession of corners follow those two chances, but Newcastle hold firm.

Chamakh does well to keep the ball in play after Jerome's pass is over hit, but the cross in is blocked by a defender, which causes a couple of appeals for handball, but the ref isn't interested.

Despite being under pressure in the last eight or so minutes, Newcastle are still causing the home side trouble down their right, and with Remy in attack they always have a chance.

What was I just saying about that right side? Palace haven't learned their lesson and it costs them as they fall 2-0 behind. Debuchy combines with Sissoko, and the latter curls in a dangerous cross, which Gabbidon diverts into his own net. Poor defending overall.

The visitors are looking for a third before the break and Cabaye runs into the box, but the angle is tight and his shot is easy for Speroni. He probably should have looked for a teammate there.

Pulis is in discussion with his backroom staff on the touchline, probably wondering how to restrict Newcastle's time and space on the flanks. As I type that, Gouffran again sends in another dangerous cross.

Oh what a waste! Gouffran breaks from midfield and runs towards the box, but he tries to do it all on his own the ball runs out for a goal kick.

An interesting 45 minutes of football ends with Newcastle 2-0 up and in control. It was very tight for the first 20 minutes, but Cabaye's goal gave the away side the confidence to push on

Let's have a look at some stats from that first half. Well, they say that Newcastle have had 70% of possession, with both level on four shots each.

Pulis will be unhappy with the performance of his players. They didn't create enough and struggled to deal with the combination of Debuchy and Sissoko. If Pulis can sort that out during the interval, then Palace might be in with a shout of grabbing a point.

However, if Newcastle can continue to open up the home defence, then it could be a long day for the home fans. Having said that, the Magpies weren't brilliant by any means, but so far they haven't needed to be.

Elsewhere in the Premier League this afternoon, Man City are leading Fulham 2-0, Man Utd are 2-0 ahead against West Ham, Stoke City and Aston Villa is goalless, as is Sunderland vs. Norwich City, while Hull City have a 1-0 lead against West Brom.

KICKOFF! The second half is underway!

SUBS: Palace have made two subs at half time, with Parr on for Moxey and Bolasie on in place of Bannan.

Krul has to come out to clear as Jerome almost gets in behind Williamson, but Newcastle push forward and win a corner, which comes to nothing.

Palace have hit a brick wall so far against a solid and impressive Newcastle team. As it stands, I'm not sure how they are going to break them down.

Almost the commentator's curse! The home side are upping the tempo and have a shot blocked from the edge of the box. The home fans are also upping the noise, which is a good sign for Palace.

Newcastle look a little shaken with the events of the last few minutes. Tiote almost loses the ball near his own goal, but the deflection is kind and the visitors clear.

SAVE! Good save by Speroni! Cabaye fires in a free kick from about 30 yards, which swerves wickedly just before it reaches the Palace goalkeeper. Speroni punches it into the box and Coloccini's rebound goes wide.

Mike Williamson has to leave the pitch to receive treatment. Can Palace make the most of the extra man?

At the moment, there's plenty of effort from the Palace players, but the cutting edge is missing as they reach the Newcastle box.

WIDE! Palace obviously heard my words of criticism as they go close to getting one back. A cross comes in and Chamakh glances his header wide from the penalty spot. Palace need to see more from him in the last 30 minutes.

YELLOW CARD! Cheick Tiote gets the first card of the day for tripping Ward.

YELLOW CARD! There are a few meaty challenges flying in now. This time Coloccini is booked for a high foot. Free kick to Palace.

CHANCE! Oh! Great chance for Palace to get back in the game! Puncheon drifts in the set piece to the back post and Jedinak heads it back to Jerome, who has time and space. However, he can't get over the ball and his volley goes high over the bar.

CHANCE! Now it's Newcastle's turn to threaten. Yohan Cabaye gambles on a ball in the corner of the box before turning his body to make space for the shot. He hits it with his right, but slices it wide.

Bolasie and Delaney work a shooting chance but the centre-half is flagged offside and the chance is gone. Under 20 minutes remaining now.

The Palace players and fans aren't happy as the ref gives a goal kick to Newcastle after Tiote slides in on Parr.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Shola Ameobi replaces Loic Remy for the visitors.

PALACE SUB: And now Palace make another change with Dwight Gayle on for Jerome.

GREAT CHANCE! This is a fantastic chance for Newcastle to wrap up victory. Sissoko continues his decent afternoon with a through-ball to Cabaye, but the Frenchman cannot beat Speroni when clean through on goal.

CHANCES! Relentless stuff from Newcastle here! Ben Arfa twists and turns and finds Gouffran on the edge of the box, but his curling shot hits the post. Ben Arfa is then involved again as his goal-bound shot is well blocked by Speroni.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Before all of that Ben Arfa had replaced Cabaye.

YELLOW CARD! Chamakh is booked for a late tackle on Coloccini.

It's all over! Jonny Parr trips Ameobi and Ben Arfa fires the penalty past Speroni, who got a hand to it.

A job well done by Newcastle this afternoon. They are comfortable in possession and Palace are dejected. You feel that this is the first major setback during the Pulis era.

SAVE! Damien Delaney finds himself forward and decides to have a go from long range. It's a poor effort, and Krul gets down low to make a simple save.

A poor day for Palace comes to an end with a demoralising home defeat. In the end it was an emphatic victory for Newcastle, who continue their surge up the table.

The problem for the home side was their lack of cutting edge in attack. Apart from Jerome's excellent chance in the second half, Newcastle were comfortable at the back.

Alan Pardew's side remain sixth in the league, but the important thing is to keep up with the teams above them. As for Palace, they stay 18th, one point behind West Ham.

That's all from me today. Thanks for finding the time to join us for our live text coverage. However, there is loads of reaction filtering in, so stay with us for that. Goodbye.