DESPITE having become the richest club in the world, Newcastle United are in a fair amount of trouble in the Premier League relegation zone. So, goodness knows where they would be if it wasn’t for Callum Wilson.

While a number of his team-mates have struggled in the opening two-and-a-half months of the season, Newcastle’s number nine has scored four goals in his five Premier League starts.

His latest strike was the best of the lot, with his sensational overhead kick with his back to goal proving sufficient to earn the Magpies a point at Crystal Palace after Christian Benteke had opened the scoring for the hosts nine minutes earlier in the second half.

Wilson’s goal saw Newcastle earn a first point since Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium completed its takeover, and ensured Graeme Jones’ debut in the dugout – after Steve Bruce was sacked on Wednesday – ended in a draw.

“With Cal, he is a unique striker,” said Jones, who was a forward himself during his playing career. “In training, he is a good finisher, he works and is a fantastic professional, but on matchday, there is a stimulation that comes out of him that he has the mentality to perform for Newcastle. He is the best match-day finisher I have worked with, and that is not even half a chance, and it’s in the back of the net which tells you everything about Callum Wilson.”

While Newcastle left London with a point, it was a ninth league game of the season without a win and they remain in the relegation zone. Things will not get any easier on Saturday when leaders Chelsea visit St James’ Park on the back of a seven-goal thrashing of Norwich.

Jones went with five at the back at Selhurst Park and insisted it was important he went back to basics.

“We came here to win. That was the intention. We didn’t so the next best thing is a point,” said Jones, who has already been told he will remain in charge for the Chelsea game. “Off the ball, I was pleased with the organisation and understanding of the runs. I think we limited Palace to one chance in the first half and in the second half they have had two. It is a base for us to start.

“I would like for us to be better on the ball, but that doesn’t come overnight. It takes time, and we’ve concentrated on trying to shore up a little bit and not concede as many goals. I think that worked.”

Newcastle only had 25 per cent possession and could have lost had Benteke’s 87th-minute header not been ruled out for a foul by Marc Guehi. The Belgian also hit both a post and the crossbar in addition to firing wide when one on one.

“We have to improve,” Jones admitted. “We have to be better, but I have to give the lads credit mentally and physically. Tactically, we were excellent, especially with the defensive aspect of the game."

The only chances of the first half occurred in a six-minute period where Wilson fired into the side netting from a tight angle before Benteke headed against a post.

Palace opened the scoring in the 50th minute when Tyrick Mitchell produced a wonderful floated ball to the back post and Benteke towered above his rivals to power home a header.

Newcastle grabbed an equaliser when Palace failed to deal with a corner and Wilson produced a sensational overhead kick.

Benteke headed home James McArthur’s corner with three minutes left but, after Darren England was told to look at the pitchside monitor, he disallowed the effort due to Guehi having a handful of Ciaran Clark’s shirt.