A toothless display that featured just one shot all afternoon and a 94th-minute equaliser for Palace as an out of sorts Newcastle drew 1-1 away at Selhurst Park. Here’s our ratings and comments on each player involved:
Pope (6.5) – Made some big saves to keep us ahead after Guehi’s own goal but will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post from the Muñoz header in stoppage time.
Livramento (7.5) – Another quality performance from Tino, who has made the right back slot his own. Never stops running and didn’t give Eze a sniff on his return.
Schar (7) – A good performance aside from some wayward diagonals. Looked untroubled defensively all game and made one crucial last ditch tackle to deny Mateta.
Burn (8) – Showed what we missed against West Ham. Imperious performance and didn’t put a foot wrong. Block from Muñoz a highlight and won most of his battles against Mateta.
Hall (7) – Some impressive set piece deliveries but undid his hard work with his lack of communication at the far post for the equaliser.
Tonali\* (8) – Has to start every game. Never stopped running and the pace in his recovery runs sets him apart from other midfielders. Remains to be seen if he’ll continue in a deeper No.6 role, but he looked the best player on the pitch.
Guimaraes (5.5) – Struggled to influence the game quite as much as he usually does in a slightly more advanced role, but came alive as we tried to see the game out and battled well. Was an injury doubt and didn’t quite look at the races.
Willock (5) – Took a knock early and never stamped his authority on the game. Position under threat? Needs to show more quality and looks rusty after a stop-start season or two with injuries.
Joelinton (5.5) – Could tell he was walking a disciplinary tight rope as he pulled out of a couple of 50/50s that he would normally contest. Not much of an influence in an attacking sense and lost Muñoz for the equaliser.
Gordon (6) – Clever movement from the free kick set up the first goal but still missing that spark and confidence that saw him shine last season. Moved into a central role after Isak’s injury.
Isak (N/A) – Early hip injury forced him off. Had no touches of note prior to the knock.
**Subs:**
Barnes (6.5) – Was the most threatening of all the attacking players. Put some decent balls in but nobody was on the same wavelength. Needs to improve some of his general play, however, with a few poor passes that gifted possession back to Palace.
Wilson (6) – Used his body well and help up the ball on occasions but no opportunities of note.
Longstaff (5) – Fresh legs to help see out the game. Didn’t contribute anything noteworthy