Newcastle United have now endured FIVE controversial VAR calls this season - with the decision to disallow Tyrick Mitchell's own goal keeping the Magpies in the bottom half of the table.
Joe Willock was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Vicente Guaita in the second half incident before a monitor check from Michael Sailsbury resulted in the strike being wiped out. In a week that has already seen what many fans felt was injustice at Anfield - with a goal in added time of added time against Liverpool - this was a bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle.
Yet it wasn't the first time this season something questionable has been awarded due to VAR and it probably won't be the last. You could go back to the second weekend of the campaign when "high foot" from Callum Wilson chalked off what looked like a good strike at Brighton.
READ MORE: Newcastle's VAR theory, Isak's encouraging reaction and £10m bargain - 5 things
Then in the 3-3 draw with Man City, Fabian Schar was denied a penalty at the Leazes End. Roll forward to Wolves away and a clear shirt tug on Sean Longstaff was ignored in the 1-1 draw.
VAR also controversially disallowed Alexander Isak's second goal at Anfield in the 2-1 defeat in an incident that would have put Howe's side 2-0 up and in control. Last season Newcastle wrote to the Premier League for some clarity on a clutch of similar calls but Howe laughed off what was said in reply when asked in the Press.
How many more poor decisions will dent important results for the Magpies this season? They have already cost United a position in the European spaces.
Clean sheet bonus for Nick Pope
If you can't win, don't lose and in Nick Pope, Newcastle have a goalkeeper of great quality to prevent defeats when United don't get it right at the attacking end of the field.
Pope was on hand to deny Palace time after time and while some of the saves were routine, they still had to be made. It's now three clean sheets from six matches for Pope.
Much was made about the decision to loan Martin Dubravka to Manchester United but already Pope has justified Howe's big call to make him number 1.
Service must improve for new boy
Eddie Howe made it clear that the overall service for Alexander Isak was poor on his home debut. Both Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron both offered a threat but only the Scot managed one accurate cross and from the Toon number 24's point of view, none of his six crosses found a team-mate.
There's still time for that to improve and nobody expects team chemistry to be bubbling away at this stage after just a handful of training sessions with the club record signing. But Isak's big moment of the game - the one on one which he missed - was created by himself.
Newcastle must play to his strengths or face the consequences.
READ NEXT
- Inside Newcastle United new boy Alexander Isak's low key press unveiling
- The inside story of Newcastle United's transfer window - all the bids, stories and 'mega opportunity'
- 'They get a shock', Kieran Trippier describes reactions of visiting teams who turn up at St James' Park
- Newcastle's two deadline day transfer bids and Howe sends message to Joao Pedro
- Joao Pedro transfer truth and Newcastle's deadline day stance
