It’s been so long since Newcastle last conceded a goal in the Premier League that even Eddie Howe could be forgiven for not remembering who scored it. Yet another clean sheet – their sixth in succession – ensured that his side moved above Manchester United on goal difference and into third spot in the table despite failing to find a breakthrough against a stubborn Crystal Palace defence.
For the record, Romain Perraud’s consolation for Southampton back on 6 November was the last time Nick Pope had to pick the ball out of his own net in a league match and, apart from a brilliant second-half save by the England goalkeeper to deny the substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, that record never looked like ending here. Having now played 20 matches and conceded only 11 goals so far, the question is whether they can find the cutting edge required at the other end, having failed to create many meaningful chances in this game.
With the rest of the top four not in action until Sunday, Howe was left slightly frustrated despite extending their lead over fifth-placed Tottenham to six points and stretching Newcastle’s unbeaten record to 15 matches - a record for them in the top flight.
“We controlled the game but just couldn’t score a goal,” he said. “We aren’t scoring the numbers that we want to but there’s no complaints about the way we are playing.” Howe also admitted that Newcastle will be in the market for a new striker after Chris Wood was allowed to join Nottingham Forest on loan this week.
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He was boosted by the news that Bruno Guimarães had been surprisingly passed fit to play here after initially being ruled out with an ankle injury. But there was a surprise selection from Patrick Vieira, who left Michael Olise on the bench despite his last-minute heroics against Manchester United in midweek, with the Palace manager citing the need for fresh legs. The draw with United that ended their nine-match winning streak was only the second point Palace had picked up against a top-six side this season after the stalemate at St James’ Park in September.
It was Newcastle who started with more intent when Miguel Almirón just failed to guide a cross from Joe Willock on target. A clever move down the right flank involving Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn that ended with a comfortable save for Vicente Guaita – who signed a 12-month contract extension this week – was another warning for Palace that it could be a long evening.
However, creating real chances against a defence as miserly as Newcastle’s is no easy task. Sven Botman has now yet to finish on the losing side in 18 Premier League appearances and the Dutchman rarely had to break into a sweat as Palace were restricted to just a single touch in the Newcastle penalty area in the opening 25 minutes.
The Palace captain Marc Guéhi was perhaps lucky not to be shown a second yellow card for bringing down Callum Wilson, having been harshly cautioned early on by referee Craig Pawson for a mistimed challenge, but the resulting free-kick was wasted. It was another set-piece that almost proved to be Palace’s undoing when Joelinton found himself unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box following a corner but could not find a way past Guaita on the goalline. Chris Richards headed wide from a corner in Palace’s first effort of any significance just before the break.
Having managed just 18 goals all season in the Premier League, it is clear to see where Vieira’s problems lie and it remains to be seen whether Palace continue their January tradition of signing a striker, which began in 2018. Botman headed wide from Trippier’s corner on the hour mark after it took a goalmouth scramble to clear before Wilfried Zaha hobbled off to be replaced by Olise having gone down twice with a hamstring injury.
“We will have to wait until Monday to assess him,” said a concerned Vieira. “Newcastle have built their team to be in the Champions League so I’m really pleased with the way we competed against them.”
The big moment Palace supporters had craved came soon afterwards when Odsonne Édouard set up Mateta inside the area but the French striker’s powerful effort was somehow diverted over by Pope. Another substitute – Alexander Isak – also had a decent chance to win it late on but could only head Trippier’s cross straight at Guaita in a match in which both goalkeepers had the casting vote.
