Wilfried Zaha hit a 95th-minute equaliser as Crystal Palace denied Newcastle United all three points in a pulsating 3-3 thriller at St James's Park.

Mike Williamson's 88th-minute strike looked to have been enough to settle a dramatic clash, but Zaha - playing his first game since returning to Palace on loan - ensured that there was further drama by thumping home a late leveller.

Below, Sports Mole assesses who excelled and who didn't in a classic at St James' Park.

NEWCASTLE

Goal

Tim Krul: Should have done better on the first goal, palming Marouane Chamakh's effort straight to Dwight Gayle after 30 seconds. (6/10)

Defence

Daryl Janmaat: Scored the equaliser - his first for the club - and got the flick-on which led to Rolando Aaron's goal. (7/10)

Mike Williamson: Did little wrong defensively and scored what seemed to be the winner on 89 minutes. (8/10)

Fabricio Coloccini: Perhaps a little suspect for Zaha's late equaliser (6/10)

Massadio Haidara: Strong, energetic running from left-back, but left a little to be desired defensively. (5/10)

Midfield

Jack Colback: Wasteful from corners and with possession in a performance which makes Roy Hodgson's "ginger Pirlo" comparisons look even more bizarre. (5/10)

Siem de Jong: Mixed afternoon from the Dutchman on his first start for the club. (6/10)

Moussa Sissoko: Perhaps the Magpies' best player in an otherwise dismal first-half performance, going close with two shots. (6/10)

Remy Cabella: Did not look worth £12m. Guilty of wasting half-a-dozen set-piece opportunities. (5/10)

Attack

Yoan Gouffran: Quiet game. Missed Newcastle's best chance at 2-1 down. (5/10)

Emmanuel Riviere: Isolated as Newcastle's focal point. His wait for a first goal in English football never looked like ending today. (5/10)

Substitutes

Rolando Aarons: Game-changing introduction, producing a goal and an assist in a display which justifies the buzz around him. (9/10)

Ayoze Perez: Little time to make an impact. (5/10)

Goal

Julian Speroni: Might have done better with Janmaat's equaliser. (6/10)

Defence

Adrian Mariappa: Struggled to combat the adventurous Haidara in the first half. Booked. (6/10)

Scott Dann: Produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Gouffran at 2-1. (7/10)

Damien Delaney: Mixed afternoon. Lost Williamson's run for the third goal. (6/10)

Martin Kelly: Still adapting to Palace. (6/10)

Midfield

Jason Puncheon Volleyed Palace into a 2-1 lead. Will have satisfied Neil Warnock after infamous spat earlier this year. (7/10)

Joel Ward: Did little wrong or right. (5/10)

Mile Jedinak: Made an abundance of tackles in an attempt to stifle Newcastle at every given opportunity. (7/10)

Yannick Bolasie: Energetic shift but Janmaat curbed his attacking threat well. Got an assist. (6/10)

Attack

Marouane Chamakh: Bagged an assist in Gayle's early opener, but did little of note after that. Went off injured on 52 minutes. (6/10)

Dwight Gayle: Fired the Eagles ahead after some 30 seconds, but was left isolated for much of the game as the Palace spearhead. (7/10)

Substitutes

Wilfried Zaha: Newcastle struggled with his direct running and he bagged a deserved goal for his efforts, in timely fashion. (8/10)

Fraizer Campbell: Largely anonymous after replacing Chamakh just after half time. (5/10)

Glenn Murray: Made a nuisance of himself in the limited time he had to do so. (6/10)