Go back to last April and Newcastle brought the thrills against Crystal Palace, putting five past Oliver Glasner’s side at St James’ Park, the victory closed by an Alexander Isak special. How things have changed. At Selhurst Park this time round, the visitors succumbed to a third successive defeat, Jean Philippe-Mateta’s penalty in injury time adding to the misery for Eddie Howe’s team.
William Osula’s close-range finish before half-time, against the run of play, had put Newcastle in front if not in control. Howe’s side looked short of confidence even with the lead, still on the mend from those sapping defeats last month by Barcelona and, crucially, Sunderland.
Palace seized upon this, with Glasner introducing Mateta off the bench in the second half. The talismanic Frenchman headed in the equaliser with 10 minutes to play and his second was set up by some silly shenanigans in the area. Sven Botman tugged the shirt of Jefferson Lerma to prompt the spotkick; Mateta slotted into the bottom right corner to end the contest.
Palace, unlike the visitors, entered with a bit of pep, life all hunky dory after their Conference League rout of Fiorentina at home. They find themselves within touching distance of a European semi-final, handing Glasner a real chance to leave this summer with another trophy. There is a certainty here. Glasner’s confirmed departure will follow Marc Guéhi’s in January and Eberechi Eze’s last August. The core that won the FA Cup is being dismantled, but there’s still the prospect of one final, joyous night out.
