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.
