Patrick Vieira was pleased with the way his Crystal Palace side performed against an in-form Newcastle United who went through to the Carabao Cup last 16 after winning on penalties.
Nick Pope was the hero for the Magpies after saving three Palace penalties in the shootout, with Luka Milivojevic, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Malcolm Ebiowei missing from the spot after a goalless 90 minutes.
Mateta had the best chance for Palace in the first-half but his drilled effort at goal was brilliantly stopped by Pope. Newcastle had a number of chances in the second period to break the deadlock but Chris Wood squandered two opportunities soon after the restart, with Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone saving both efforts.
READ MORE: Crystal Palace ratings after penalty shootout defeat in Carabao Cup at Newcastle United
Eddie Howe made eight changes to his starting eleven for the clash at St James’ Park, with star men Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier on the bench. The Newcastle boss threw the trio on late to try and snatch victory but couldn’t find a way to stop the game from heading to a penalty shoot-out, with Johnstone denying Almiron’s late strike that was heading for the bottom corner.
Newcastle would book their place in the last 16 thanks to Pope’s heroics and, despite defeat, Vieira applauded his side's performance after making five changes to his starting eleven, saying: “The positive is that I think we have a really clear idea on how we want to play the game, regardless of the players on the field.
“I think we showed a lot of discipline. We showed quality at times. I’m pleased because there were a couple of players who haven’t played a lot and I think they performed fantastically.
“I think when you look at Sam [Johnstone] in goal, you look at [James] Tomkins, Luka [Milivojevic] and Will Hughes in the midfield. I’m really pleased with the attribute on the game they had and of course it’s is a difficult place to come but managing not to concede a goal, to perform like that, I’m really pleased with what we showed.”
Crystal Palace will now look towards their final Premier League game before the World Cup break with an away trip on Saturday to Nottingham Forest, who knocked out Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win.
READ NEXT
Patrick Vieira sends Newcastle United message as he sets out Crystal Palace plan for Carabao Cup
'Worth considering' - BBC pundit tells Patrick Vieira how to get best out of Crystal Palace star
- 'No doubt about his ability' - Patrick Vieira offers Michael Olise verdict after win at West Ham
- Crystal Palace hero makes big claim about Patrick Vieira after Eagles' victory at West Ham
- 'Absolute certainty' - Paul Merson makes bold Crystal Palace claim amid West Ham prediction
