Newcastle United delivered a ruthless performance to crush Crystal Palace 5-0 at St. James’ Park, moving third in the Premier League table and closing in on Champions League qualification.
Key Moments from the Match
- Jacob Murphy’s Opening Goal: Murphy scored the opener in the 14th minute with a precise right-foot strike from a tight angle.
- Marc Guéhi’s Own Goal: Palace defender Guéhi turned a Harvey Barnes cross into his own net in the 38th minute, doubling Newcastle’s lead.
- Harvey Barnes’ Goal: Barnes scored his fourth goal in three games with a brilliant step-over move, beating Maxence Lacroix before firing across Dean Henderson.
- Fabian Schär’s Header: Schär headed home Murphy’s cross in the eighth minute of added time, further extending Newcastle’s advantage.
- Alexander Isak’s Goal: Isak scored his 25th goal of the season with a fine 25-yard finish into the bottom corner.
Quotes from the Match
- Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall praised his players for their consistency in the absence of manager Eddie Howe, saying, “We’ve stuck with the tried and tested, and it’s brought us a sixth consecutive victory.”
Post-Match Analysis
Newcastle’s win moved them two points clear of Nottingham Forest and four behind second-placed Arsenal with six games left. The team’s front three, including Isak, Barnes, and Murphy, were in fine form, with Isak ending a goal drought and Murphy scoring and assisting. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, remain 12th in the table, 10 points behind Newcastle.
What’s Next?
Newcastle will face Aston Villa on Saturday before a crucial match against Arsenal, while Palace will look to fix their defensive problems ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Villa.
The victory was a testament to Newcastle’s growing momentum, with the team’s attacking trio of Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, and Jacob Murphy firing on all cylinders. Their clinical finishing and clever interplay exposed Palace’s defense, leaving them reeling.
Newcastle’s consistency in the absence of Eddie Howe has been impressive, and their upcoming fixtures will be a true test of their Champions League aspirations. With a tough match against Aston Villa looming, Howe’s side will be eager to maintain their form and close the gap on Arsenal and the top two.