Newcastle United continued their scintillating run of form with a commanding 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace, a result that saw them climb to third in the Premier League table, just four points behind second-placed Arsenal. It was a display full of confidence, pace, and purpose made even more impressive given the absence of manager Eddie Howe, who remains in hospital recovering from pneumonia.
In Howe’s absence, assistant Jason Tindall once again took charge and could hardly have asked for a better performance. Spearheaded by the electric Jacob Murphy, the relentless Sandro Tonali, and a sharp late finish from Alexander Isak, Newcastle looked every inch a team destined for Champions League football.
The commitment to maintain high standards despite their manager’s illness was evident early on. Team captain Bruno Guimarães had called a meeting with senior players in the wake of Howe’s absence, and the collective response has been emphatic. This latest result marked their sixth consecutive win, with momentum clearly on their side.
The tone was set by Murphy, whose form continues to make a mockery of suggestions that the team needs a new right winger. He opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, firing a vicious angled shot into the top corner after being teed up by Kieran Trippier near the byline. It was a strike that surprised many, including the Palace defence and goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Newcastle could have been ahead earlier when Murphy set up Isak, only for Henderson to make an outstanding save low to his left. But the breakthrough goal seemed to unlock Newcastle’s full attacking potential.
Harvey Barnes, also in terrific form, doubled the lead with a looping cross that evaded everyone, including Henderson, and nestled into the net. He soon followed that with a sublime third, picking up a Tonali pass, skipping past Maxence Lacroix, and rifling a left-footed shot into the far corner. Barnes and Murphy are giving Newcastle a dynamic threat from both flanks, and their interplay with the midfield and forward line is becoming a nightmare for defenders.
Palace had a chance to reduce the deficit after a lengthy VAR review awarded them a penalty. Nick Pope was adjudged to have caught Chris Richards while dealing with a set piece. But Eberechi Eze’s tame effort was easily saved by Pope, who stood tall and guessed right after a theatrical run-up from the Palace winger.
Newcastle responded almost immediately. Trippier, who was instrumental all night, rolled a free-kick to Murphy, whose curling delivery was met by Fabian Schär. The defender rose highest and nodded home Newcastle’s fourth just before the break.
Isak, who had missed a couple of earlier chances, found redemption in the second half. The Swedish striker latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and curled a magnificent effort beyond Henderson from 20 yards, capping the scoring in style. It was his 15th goal of the season and a timely reminder of his quality, especially as Newcastle continue their push for a top-two finish.
For Crystal Palace, the game was another humbling reminder of the gap between mid-table stability and elite-level competition. After conceding five at Manchester City the previous weekend, this was a second heavy defeat in succession albeit against another of the league’s in-form sides.
While Palace are still in the FA Cup semi-finals and sitting safely in the table, their defensive frailties were brutally exposed. In contrast, Newcastle’s display underlined just how far they’ve come and how high they could still climb this season.
