Saturday proved another hugely frustrating day for Newcastle United.
For the first time in the Premier League this season, Newcastle failed to win having taken the lead.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at a struggling Crystal Palace, throwing two points away towards the closing stages of the game.
An own goal from former Newcastle transfer target Marc Guehi had given the Magpies the lead but Daniel Munoz, who had earlier missed a brilliant chance for the Eagles, levelled with about 90 seconds remaining at Selhurst Park.
Having also lost Alexander Isak to an injury during the first-half, it means the Newcastle United manager will no doubt leave south London hugely disappointed.
In fact, Howe may not be the only one to do so.
BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown believes goalkeeper Nick Pope should have done better.
Nick Pope questioned as Newcastle throw game away against Crystal Palace
Munoz made up for his earlier miss in the dying embers of the game, heading in Guehi’s cross.
Daniel Munoz of Crystal Palace scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Se...
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Still, Brown – who was speaking on BBC Radio Five Live at 16.57 GMT on 30/11/2024 – believes Pope should have done better: “I don’t think Pope should get beat there and he will be so disappointed.”
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Nick Pope isn’t the only player to blame for Newcastle’s draw
While a goalkeeper of Pope’s standing and someone previously tipped as one of the best in the Premier League will probably feel he could have done better, he was far from the only reason Newcastle didn’t win.
Without some excellent blocks from Dan Burn, the result could have been even worse.
Newcastle just didn’t do enough with the ball. Chances proved few and far between and they didn’t even have a shot on goal at a team seriously struggling this season.
Yes, Pope might have done better but the issues are systemic rather than on any one individual.
There’s an awful lot for Howe to ponder on the long journey home.
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