Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on April 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)placeholder image
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on April 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Will Osula scored the opener as Newcastle United slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace.
The Magpies took the lead in the 43rd minute with their first shot on target as Lewis Miley’s cross found its way to Will Osula.
But it was a familiar story for Eddie Howe’s side as they surrendered their lead after substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice inside the closing stages.
Mateta equalised in the 80th minute before converting his penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Sven Botman was penalised for a push on Jefferson Lerma.
Newcastle have now dropped 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, putting them at serious risk of missing out on European qualification with just seven games to go.
Eddie Howe reflects on NUFC’s defeat to Crystal Palace - now 25 points dropped from winning positions
Howe said: “Yeah, I mean, those numbers are incredible, really, and it's blighted our season, the fact that we haven't been able to sort of consolidate really good passages of the game, but go on and score more goals and continue to attack,” Howe said.
“I think I've said many times that's not the tactical instruction we give the players. We don't want to go 1-0 up and change to a mentality of defending, but we've done it, so I can't say it hasn't happened.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“But then if you are going to defend, we have to defend better than we did. We gave a few chances, but we still look vulnerable towards the end of the game, and that's hugely disappointing.
“I think 60 minutes into the game for the away team, I thought we were pretty comfortable. Aaron's made a good double save in the first half, but apart from that, I thought we controlled the game.
“And the disappointing thing from our perspective is we didn't create more, we didn't have more shots. Certainly, we've turned down a few long-range shooting opportunities, so that was disappointing for us, but we scored a great goal and we got our noses in front, which is the hardest thing to do.
“But we didn't really capitalise on that. There wasn't that authority and confidence in that second half to say, let's go on and score more. But I thought there were some positives in the performance today, but it gets lost in the result.”
Eddie Howe explains Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa snub
Howe named six changes from the Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland, opting to start Osula up front over Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, whom he signed for a combined £119million last summer.
When asked about his striker selection amid supporter criticism, Howe replied: “I don't pick the team based on transfer fees, I have to pick the team based on what I see.
“I thought Will Osula was training well, I think he deserved to start today, I thought he played well. I thought he was, again, a real positive coming out of the game, I thought he took his goal well. He's got the physical attributes, the determination to do really well. He's improving, I think, week in, week out, so I was delighted with his performance.”
Continue Reading