Newcastle United were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace as their season continues to go from bad to worse
Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on April 12, 2026 in London, England
Howe was disappointed with the way Newcastle conceded the late goal(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)
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Newcastle's troubling season plumped to new depths after they were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Will Osula had given Newcastle the lead in the first half but a brace from Jean-Philippe Mateta turned the game on its head and left the Magpies' European hopes in tatters.
The result has heaped greater pressure on head coach Eddie Howe, too, with United now in 14th place in the Premier League table and their season in disarray.
Here's five things we learned from the game.
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Howe reaction speaks volumes as pressure ramps up
Howe cut a sombre figure in Friday's press conference as he addressed criticism of his team's performances this season and the brutal reaction to a second derby defeat of the season to Sunderland. If fans were expecting him to come out fighting, he cut a much more withdrawn figure - perhaps wary of striking the wrong tone with the supporters after such a bruising defeat.
But Howe has always professed Newcastle would be better for prolonged time on the training pitch, pointing out the fact this week was the first time they had 20 players on the training pitch since August.
The reaction Newcastle fans were looking for should have come on the pitch, with European football very much still in their sights as they made the trip to South London today. But they were flat from the outset, lacking quality in forward areas, creating very little of note and looked devoid of ideas, invention or motivation.
They were fortunate to take a lead and will be frustrated not to have held on to it. But, in truth, they deserved nothing from the game. The expectation was Newcastle would be better for the three-week break and the training time. They looked worse than ever.
It is now 25 points dropped and seven games lost from winning positions this season and 18 goals conceded in the last 15 minutes of matches.
His reaction on the touchline after Sven Botman gave away a stoppage time penalty spoke volumes as he desperately appealed the decision with the fourth official, with an expression on his face that suggested he knew the nature of the inquest that was about to head his way.
After Mateta dispatched the spot-kick, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga were thrown on in a last desperate throw of the dice to rectify the situation but what impact they were expected to make in a couple of minutes remains to be seen.
At full-time, Howe looked a lonely figure as he trudged towards the away end. He didn't utter a word to his players or assistant Jason Tindall, as he pondered what's next, staring into space as he clapped Newcastle's travelling support.
That support has stuck by Howe and will forever be grateful for the job he has done at St James' Park. But even the most ardent supporter must be starting to wane after another meek surrender on the road.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauds the away end at Selhurst Park
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Osula is far from the finished product and, if we are truthful, the jury is out over whether he is good enough to lead the line in the Premier League for Newcastle.
But he took his goal well, recovering from a slip to fire the ball beyond Dean Henderson from close range, and that is more than can be said for Newcastle's pair of £124million forwards. It was telling that when Anthony Gordon was shifted back to the left-wing at Selhurst Park, Osula got the nod ahead of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Wissa's lack of impact has been a huge surprise given his Premier League pedigree. Woltemade must be thinking he no longer fits the idea of his manager, or indeed, Newcastle United in their current guise.
There has to be serious questions over why both signings haven't worked - particularly why a club record signing who has 10 goals to his name this season has not been trusted to start a game up front in the Premier League since the 0-0 draw at Wolves on January 18.
William Osula of Newcastle United scores against Crystal Palace
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Joelinton picked up a mindless yellow card for a stupid challenge on Mateta, picking up his 10th booking of the season and a two-match suspension for his troubles.
He will now have three weeks to ponder over it as he will miss games against Bournemouth and Arsenal, knowing if he had avoided a yellow card in South London those bookings would have been wiped off heading into the final six matches of the season.
It has now opened the door for Jacob Ramsey or Joe Willock to regain their place in the side, or even Bruno Guimaraes to return from injury and walk straight back into the Newcastle side. How the Magpies could do with their talismanic skipper between now and the end of the season.
Joelinton of Newcastle United reacts to receiving a yellow card meaning he will be suspended for two games
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Heading into Sunday's game, Newcastle had lost just one of their last nine Premier League games against Crystal Palace, keeping a clean sheet in six of their last eight matches against the Eagles.
The fact Palace had won just one of their last 10 games at Selhurst Park in the Premier League, with only Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur having fewer home Premier League wins this season than them heading into this weekend, it presented Newcastle with a big chance to get their season back on track.
But it was an opportunity squandered as Palace ran out deserved winners.
Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates
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Despite the bruising nature of their season, Newcastle still harboured realistic ambitions of qualifying for European football. Saturday's draw between Everton and Brentford handed them an opportunity to cut the gap to just two points.
The live table at 1-0 up made for healthy reading. The Magpies only moved up to 11th but were within touching distance of the top eight and just three points adrift of sixth placed Chelsea. Another second half capitulation put paid to that and they are now in 14th place, closer to the relegation zone in terms of points than they are to the top four.
They are still within five points of the top eight and it is not mathematically impossible by any means that they can still qualify for European football next season.
But the evidence they can put together a run in their final six games to claw back the points deficit just hasn't been there this season. A season that started with aspirations of Champions League qualification, looks destined to end with a disappointing bottom half finish.