Eddie Howe’s Magpies were forced to settle for a point after his side missed a number of goalscoring opportunities against a resilient Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Patrick Viera made four changes to the side that drew against Manchester United during the week. Michael Olise was forced to make do with a spot on the bench despite scoring the equaliser against the Red Devils. Joel Ward, Eberechi Eze, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew being drafted in to replace Olise, Nathaniel Clyne, Will Hughes and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Eddie Howe stuck with the same eleven that snatched a last minute winner against Fulham. Bruno Guimaraes miraculously recovered from his ankle injury much to the Magpies delight. Alexander Isak had to settle for a spot on the bench.
Almiron had the first chance of the game with five minutes on the clock, Willock floated a cross into the penalty area which Almiron connected with at the back post but he couldn’t get a proper connection. Guaita was called into action just after the ten minute mark when he was forced into a comfortable save after a tidy volley from Burn. Joelinton had an attempt at goal following a nice lay off from Schar just as the twenty minute mark approached but his effort was tame and didn’t trouble the keeper. Guaita had to be alert to save Joelinton from close range inside the box, United appealed for a penalty as the ball struck an arm from one of the Palace players on the way through but neither VAR or the on field referee were convinced. Crystal Palace didn’t create any meaningful chances until the 45th minute mark, a corner was awarded to the hosts following a tackle by Trippier but Richards headed over. Half Time Scoreline 0-0.
Wilson had a golden opportunity to put the visitors in the lead five minutes after the restart when Trippier floated a ball into the box which found the England striker but he couldn’t direct his free header anywhere other than into Guaita’s arms. Botman headed over from a Trippier corner as we reached the hour mark. Palace finally registered their first shot on target in the 72nd minute when Mateta’s shot from close range forced Pope into a brilliant reaction save. The England stopper showing why he should be Gareth Southgate’s Number One. He’s taller than little arms…I mean Jordan Pickford anyway! Isak headed at goal in the 79th minute but his effort was straight into the Palace keepers arms. Saint-Maximin blazed over from close range in the 88th minute after some nice link up play. The look on Eddie Howe’s face perfectly summed up how all the other Newcastle United supporters are feeling. Neither side could find a winning goal and the match ended 0-0.
Sutty’s Thoughts: The first half was dominated by Newcastle but once more, they lacked that final component to stick the ball in the back of the net. The Palace players spent most of the first half on the floor looking for fouls and when they were on their feet, they were too busy clothes-lining their opponents and getting away with it. Joe Willock and Joelinton linked up well and caused the Palace some threat. Callum Wilson had a poor first half, the England international hasn’t done too well since coming back from international duty, he will be hoping to change that sooner rather than later.
The second half wasn’t much different, chances created by the visiting side but wasteful finishing. Crystal Palace did defend valiantly it must be said and they will be definitely the happier side with this result. Even with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak coming on for Newcastle, very little changed. Isak did have a chance to head his side into the lead but couldn’t convert. Nick Pope had sweet bugger all to do apart from making one amazing save from point blank range in the 72nd minute and you can see why he’s one of the best keepers in the league. It’s not all doom and gloom I suppose, its another clean sheet which makes it six in row and we are now unbeaten in 15 premier league games which is a new club record. Six points clear of fifth place is also a nice cushion to have. We still have a long way to go though. Now our attention switches to Tuesday night and Southampton where that dream to lift a domestic trophy is becoming more realistic…we just need to be more clinical if we want a chance of getting it. Up the Mags!!
What’s Next? Crystal Palace travel to Old Trafford on Saturday 4th February in the Premier League as they take on Manchester United in a 3pm KO. The Magpies travel to fellow Premier League outfit Southampton as they face off in the English League Cup Semi-Final First Leg, that tie is on Tuesday 24th January with a 8pm KO.
Crystal Palace Line Up: V Guaita, J Ward © (70, N Clyne), T Mitchell, M Guehi, C Richards, J Ayew, E Eze (63, M Olise), W Zaha (63, J Phillippe Mateta), J Schlupp (63, W Hughes), C Oumar Doucoure, O Edouard (89, D Ozoh).
Crystal Palace Bench: S Johnstone, N Clyne, L Milivojevic, M Olise, W Hughes, J Riedewald, J Wells-Morrison, D Ozoh, J Phillipe Mateta.
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier ©, S Botman, F Schar, D Burn, J Willock (68, A Saint-Maximin), S Longstaff, B Guimaraes, Joelinton, C Wilson (67, A Isak), M Almiron (85, M Almiron).
Newcastle United Bench: M Dubravka, J Lascelles, J Lewis, J Manquillo, M Ritchie, J Murphy, E Anderson, A Saint-Maximin, A Isak.
Match Officials: Craig Pawson (Referee), Marc Perry & Scott Ledger(Assistant’s), Anthony Taylor (Fourth Official), Jarred Gillet (VAR), James Mainwaring (Assistant VAR).
@jsuttonwrites
21.01.2023
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