Joelinton of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Joelinton of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Joelinton of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A stoppage time equaliser from Daniel Munoz denied Newcastle United three points at Crystal Palace.
And let’s be honest, the Magpies got what they deserved, didn’t they? If you register zero shots on goal, then the likelihood is you deserve nowt.
Here’s our five takeaways from an eventful afternoon at Selhurst Park.
The Geordie giant at the back
Dan Burn of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Dan Burn of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Dan Burn of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After Lloyd Kelly fluffed his opportunity on Monday night, it was a given that Dan Burn would go straight back into the starting line-up after serving a one-match.
Not that he needed to but the Blyth-born defender more than justified his immediate recall. A giant at the back, Burn was equal to everything in the air and also made an excellent goal-line clearance to deny Daniel Munoz.
And his performance is even more impressive after learning that the 32-year-old hadn’t trained in the build-up to the game because of an ongoing ankle problem.
Newcastle, as a team, maybe didn’t deserve a clean sheet but Burn did.
A mention for Sandro Tonali
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I’ve heard people describe Sandro Tonali’s performance as brilliant or outstanding, and while I wouldn’t go that far, there was undoubtedly a lot to like about the Italian in the ‘No.6’ role.
His technical ability is unquestioned, his quick one-two passes - which ultimately led to the opener - are nice on the eye but it was encouraging to see his work out of possession.
“I thought Sandro was excellent, certainly from a defensive viewpoint he put out a lot of fires for us,” said Howe. “His athleticism in transitions is always important and Bruno I thought played well as well.
“I think he will be pleased, well I'm pleased with the physical effort he gave - he covered every blade of grass for us. It's difficult when you make those structural changes to the team.”
This was the first time Tonali had completed a full 90 minutes for United since returning from his 10-month ban. While it was a disappointing afternoon from a team point of view, it was - hopefully - a step in the right direction for the midfielder.
It just had to be Marc Guehi
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace wear the Rainbow Laces captains armband during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace wear the Rainbow Laces captains armband during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace wear the Rainbow Laces captains armband during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You just knew Marc Guehi would be involved somehow - it just happens it was at both ends!
When the England international put the ball in his own net from Anthony Gordon’s cross in the 53rd minute, jokes of him scoring his first goal for Newcastle United were flying around of social media.
But Guehi just about had the last laugh when his delivery to the back post was headed home by Munoz in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
As Palace captain, he was well amongst the late celebrations. It was a big goal for his team, one that took them out of the relegation zone.
Joelinton becomes public enemy number one
Joelinton of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Joelinton of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Joelinton of Newcastle United Football Club during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A couple of minutes before Palace snatched a victory away from Newcastle, Joelinton let out a huge roar right in front of the home fans. As you can imagine, it didn’t go down well.
So when Munoz scored, a lot of the Palace fans directed their celebrations towards the Brazilian. Rather than three points, the 28-year-old was served up some humble pie.
Newcastle’s attacking woes is a major concern
Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Apparently Newcastle had a ‘blocked shot’. I can’t remember it, nor do I think that counts anyway. The reality is, Howe’s side did not register a shot on goal against Palace - and that is a major concern.
The early withdrawal of Alexander Isak didn’t help matters but struggling to score goals is one of the tales of the season.
Last season. Howe’s side were free-scoring with their total of 85 bettered only by Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. Fast forward to this campaign and they are the fourth lowest with 14.
Why? Well, Howe finds that a difficult question to answer.
“It is a difficult one to answer because we haven’t changed,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “I wouldn’t say anything because you’re always trying to evolve and improve but we certainly haven’t changed our attacking philosophy in any way. It’s a difficult one for me to give you a clear direct answer for.
“It is something we are of course aware of and will continue to work and improve. I back the players, I know we have players who can score goals and create, I’ve got no issue with the quality of players we have.”
If Howe doesn’t have the answer now, then he must find it fast. Losing to West Ham and drawing to Palace - two teams in the bottom seven of the table - is a missed opportunity. As was results earlier in the season against AFC Bournemouth and Everton.
United sit 10th now but could find themselves in the bottom half come kick-off against leaders Liverpool on Wednesday night. Because of their failings against the so-called ‘lesser teams’, the pressure is on to get something against the ‘big boys’.
But they can do it, as results versus Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Arsenal proved.
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