Scott with the ratings on a day that summed the season up perfectly, and depressingly
Aaron Ramsdale - 7
Probably our best player today. Not what anyone wants to hear, but that's not Ramsdale’s fault. Made a fantastic double save just before we scored. The first save was a bit laboured, but the second from Munõz was superb. Caught what he had to catch and firmly our number one right now. Again, after this defeat, the keeper situation is way down the list of priorities, but he can only do what he can do, especially if the rumours of a quick return to Southampton are to be believed.
Tino Livramento - 5
Strolled around like it was friendly again. Not the worst player in green, but not inspiring any confidence in any shape or form. Teams are quickly realising after it happened three times lately, you isolate him at the far post with a deep cross and he isn't winning the header. He was nowhere as Lerma headed off the bar and ran out of luck with the equaliser as he went walkabout again. We need a lot more from him right now. Like the rest of the squad, basically.
Sven Botman - 5
Did ok up against the Palace reserve attack which looked toothless, but once the strength and pace was introduced he looked massively vulnerable. The penalty I've seen happen against Dan Burn six or seven times this season with nothing given, but that whataboutery covers up the fact it's a penalty and it's poor defending. It's a total giveaway.
Malick Thiaw - 5
Like the above, was having a calm and collected Sunday afternoon in the Croydon sun until Palace decided enough was enough and the post-substitutions Thiaw was a shadow of the one before. Mateta ran him ragged, dragged him wide and made him look very ordinary.
Lewis Hall - 7
Our best outfield player but don't get the bunting out for that Lewis. Just before we scored he saved a certain goal with a defensive header which looked like it might be the game's turning point after we went ahead, and looked the only one with any attacking intent when the ball ended up at his feet. Most good Newcastle things involved Hall, but defensively late on he looked all at sea as well. At the minute, he's far and away the player we need to keep and build a team around. The rest aren't in the same league.
Lewis Miley - 5
After being out since January the chances of Miley being on the pitch anything past the hour looked generous. He looked knackered and with Wharton and Sarr introduced, Palace ran him ragged. However he stayed on and that was quite frankly incredible bearing in mind the way other players have been wrapped in cotton wool by this management over the years. One bit of classic Miley got us a goal. A probing cross, right into that area no defender likes and he looked tidy but should have gone off on the hour.
Joelinton - 4
How stupid was that tackle to get himself booked and suspended? The Joelinton jeopardy to do stupid things is worth it if he's marauding around the midfield winning everything and slamming into tackles. If he's anonymous and a shadow of his former self, it's just highly irritating. The worst thing about it is you could see it happening a mile off once they got some pace on the field. If we could see it, how could the bench not?
Sandro Tonali - 4
Another player that is just not doing enough right now. It might be a sacrilegious thing to say for some people, but he's really not is he?One incident summed up his distribution at this point in time. A terrible corner went back to him and he then overhit the second cross. So frustrating. Did well in the build up to the goal but that was few and far between.
Anthony Gordon - 4
I just can't be bothered with the whole circus that Gordon brings right now. The whole “He’s jumping out of tackles to keep himself for the World Cup” doesn't interest me.
What interests me is one of our so-called blue chip players, who are apparently sought after, putting in a decent performance for 90 minutes. Not ten (which he did) or 15 (which he didn't), but 90 whole minutes. Started off well but didn't pass as we had a three-on-one, and we never saw him again until he went off. Like a lot of our players right now, I just can't be chewed with him.
Jacob Murphy - 4
Again, nowhere near good enough. I'm not one of those who pile on Murphy - I think he's one of the few players in our squad who can create something. But today was a performance which invited all the haters. A couple of dangerous crosses, but he gave the ball away continuously in the second half and away from home when you are penned back, quite frankly we need more. A lot more.
William Osula - 6
At least showed some sort of life and for that we have to be thankful at this point in time. Scored a decent goal. It was a good little finish from a grounded position. He forced Henderson into a couple of other saves as well. Should also have been put in by Gordon when he was better placed. A long-term option? Please no, but he's one of the few to come out with any credit or the hope of remaining in the team next week.
SUBSTITUTES
Harvey Barnes - for Gordon 71 minutes - 3
Came on for Gordon and was just as bad. Should have done better when Ramsey put him in, before a hospital pass for Tonali saw the Italian foul Mateta.
Jacob Ramsey - for Joelinton 84 minutes - 6
Should have come on at least half an hour before he did. Although he came on in the period we lost the game, he provided pace, urgency and intent which otherwise was non existent. Another stick to beat Howe with I’m afraid.
Nick Woltemade - for Osula 84 minutes - 3
While they brought on strength, pace and power off the bench we brought a zero confidence Woltemade who looked completely lost.
Yoane Wissa - for Murphy 90 minutes
If he can't get a sniff of this team until the last seconds and the tea person is warming up ahead of you, things look pretty bleak for Wissa right now. Still the World Cup is coming up.
Anthony Elanga - for Tonali 90 minutes
See above.
Scott Robson