Newcastle United rose into the top three of the Premier League on Wednesday night following a 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace at St James’ Park.
In an entertaining first half in the north-east, the Magpies put Oliver Glasner’s side to the sword with four first-half goals from Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Fabian Schär and an own goal from Marc Guéhi. Marksman Alexander Isak added Newcastle’s fifth in the second period in a brilliant performance from Jason Tindall’s men, in the absence of the unwell Eddie Howe.
Palace had the opportunity to level the tie at 1-0 following an VAR intervention which penalised Nick Pope for clattering Chris Richards in the area but Eberechi Eze’s dreadful spot-kick was easily saved by Pope, who immediately atoned for his error.
As it happened
The first chance of the game fell to the hosts as Bruno Guimarães beat the Palace press and found Murphy advancing down the right channel. He spotted Isak running forward and pulled the ball back to the Swede who must have thought he scored only to be denied by an excellent Dean Henderson save. That was just the start of an entertaining first period on Tyneside.
The connection between Murphy and Isak was on full show again as the Englishman delivered a gorgeous ball looking for the number nine who saw his header loft just over the woodwork. The signs were there and it would not take long though for Newcastle to take the lead.
In the 14th minute Newcastle countered at pace, however Guimarães pass was poor which led to the ball being recycled out wide to the in-form Murphy who – unsurprisingly – rifled the ball home on a tight angle catching Henderson off guard to give the Magpies an early lead.
Palace were gifted the opportunity to level the tie after a lengthy review as VAR recommended referee Darren England to go to the monitor as Pope clattered Chris Richards after he missed his punch trying to clear a set-piece. Eze stepped up, stuttered and passed his effort into the Pope’s gloves. Less than two minutes ensued before Newcastle doubled their lead in the 38th minute.
Tino Livramento was played in down the left channel and the full back found Barnes advancing into the area. The former Leiceter forward tried to square to Isak but as Guéhi came across to block the cross, the ball deflected past a helpless Henderson.
It went from bad to worse for Glasner’s side as they would concede two more before the half-time whistle with both coming in added time.
Palace threw too many men forward and Newcastle countered expertly. Sandro Tonali sent a quality ball through to Barnes who got a yard on Maxence Lacroix with an exceptional step over before drilling his effort into the bottom corner. His fourth goal in his last three games. In the final minute of the half, Murphy’s brilliant set-piece was glanced home by Schär to give the Magpies a four-goal cushion at the interval.
Stand-in boss Tindall would have been extremely proud with his side’s performance with Howe’s absence not affecting his team while Glasner would have been bitterly disappointed. That disappointment would continue in the second period.
More misery ensued for the visitors as Lacroix had his pocket picked high up the pitch by Joelinton as the ball ran for Isak who bent his effort early to find the bottom corner to put the Toon five-nil up with still another half an hour left to play at St James’ Park.
It was just not meant to be for Palace as Daniel Muñoz looked certain to get on the scoresheet from close range only to see his header hit substitute Eddie Nketiah on the goalline.
The hosts controlled the game and as the game petered out with no Palace comeback on the cards. The result sees Newcastle firmly in control of their destiny with Champions League football looking extremely likely to return to St James’ Park next season as they reside in third on 59 points while Palace remain on 43 points.
Next up for Newcastle is a trip to Villa Park while Palace host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at Selhurst Park.
The lineups
NEW: Pope; Tripper, Schär, Burn, Liveramento; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Isak, Murphy
CRY: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze