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Harvey Barnes (left) celebrates scoring Newcastle’s third goal - Getty Images/James Gill
Mathematically at least, Newcastle can still catch Liverpool - and although such an outcome may be beyond the realms of possibility, such is the impressive head of steam being built up on Tyneside, overhauling Arsenal for second is clearly not.
The Magpies’ irresistible post-Carabao-Cup-winning upward mobility gathered pace as a sixth successive victory lifted them to third four points shy of the Gunners, who they have beaten three times this season, and meet on the penultimate weekend.
Newcastle not so much edged closer to embellishing a memorable campaign with a Champions League return, but more took another giant stride, swatting aside a Crystal Palace team that had gone six months unbeaten on the road but have now shipped 10 goals in two heavy defeats in the space of four chastening days.
No other Premier League team, not even Arne Slot’s Champions-elect, can match Newcastle’s 19 victories from 24 matches since mid-December, as four first-half goals and Eberechi Eze’s comically woeful botched penalty provided the latest tonic for manager Eddie Howe in his recovery from pneumonia.
Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes and Fabian Schar, plus own goal from Marc Guehi against the club the England defender almost joined last summer, put the outcome beyond doubt before Oliver Glasner could administer the mother of all half-time rollockings.
Newcastle, who were unchanged for a sixth consecutive game, failed to muster a shot on target in the 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. Five regenerative months on, the confidence-boosting effects of the club’s first major silverware in 70 years makes the hosts a totally different proposition.
Such was the ferocity of the early onslaught, Palace deserve credit for holding out for almost a quarter of an hour before succumbing to the inevitable.
Murphy could conceivably have provided a hat-trick of assist by that point such was the irresistible nature of the midfielder’s play down the hosts’ right. Alexander Isak forced a save from Dean Henderson before heading over from six yards courtesy of perfect Murphy deliveries, this after Joelinton narrowly failed to convert the winger’s first tempting centre inside the first minute.
Clearly intent to cut out the middle-man as his team-mates frittered away the chances he was consistently carving out, Murphy took a more direct route to goal, to stunning effect.
From a rapidly diminishing angle as he latched onto Kieran Trippier’s pass, Newcastle’s in-form number 23 promptly thrashed the ball through the narrow gap between Henderson and the goalkeeper’s near post and into the roof of the net to break the deadlock in spectacular style.
In the last 18 appearances, Murphy now boasts 17 goal involvements, and few were as memorable as this, even if Henderson became the latest addition to the growing recent trend of hapless top flight keepers beaten at their near post, the England international simply done for pace on this occasion.
Henderson’s error almost paled into insignificance to the one perpetrated by his opposite number Nick Pope midway through the first-half when the Newcastle keeper’s reckless dash from goal to punch clear a free-kick into the area resulted in him taking out Palace defender Chris Richards.
After being invited via the intervention of VAR to review his initial decision, referee Darren England pointed to the spot. Palace had scored from their previous seven in the league, but there wasn’t to be an eighth as Eze blinked first in his game of chicken with Pope, embarrassingly rolling a virtual backpass down the middle of the goal which the Newcastle keeper gratefully fell on.
Within 100 game-changing seconds, Newcastle were two ahead. Joelinton and Tino Livramento led a barnstorming counter attack down the left culminating in Marc Guehi inadvertently diverting the winger’s cross into the Palace net to match his own goal in the reverse fixture.
There was still ample opportunity for Newcastle to double their advantage in stoppage-time of a breathless first-half. From Sandro Tonali’s pass on halfway, Barnes sprinted 30 yards, turned Maxence Lacroix inside out and found the bottom corner. Murphy was finally rewarded for his industry when from his centre from the right, Fabian Schar glanced home the fourth.
What a pass, what a header!️ pic.twitter.com/YJBJ55iwUc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2025
The second-half was predictably more low key. Newcastle opted against administering further embarrassment, other than Isak belatedly getting in on the act just before the hour as Joelinton broke-up more inept attempts to play out from the back to allow the Swede to pass his 25th goal of the season into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
The visitors almost ended proceedings on a fleetingly positive note, only for a Daniel Munoz header to be blocked on the line by team-mate Eddie Nketiah. For Palace, it was that kind of night.
09:56 PM BST
Jacob Murphy speaking to Sky Sports
09:53 PM BST
Into third Newcastle go
09:52 PM BST
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports
"They have been magnificent."
Jamie Redknapp on Newcastle's push for a Champions League spot in the Premier League️ pic.twitter.com/9zXVm0rjvC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2025
09:48 PM BST
Harvey Barnes speaking to Premier League Productions
On Jacob Murphy’s form:
On Eddie Howe:
On assistant manager Jason Tindall:
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Harvey Barnes was on the scoresheet for Newcastle this evening - Serena Taylor/Getty Images
09:41 PM BST
Heavy defeat for Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace remain in 12th - Craig Brough/Reuters
09:39 PM BST
Delight for Newcastle
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Newcastle are up into third - Craig Brough/Reuters
09:38 PM BST
Own goals in both fixtures
09:35 PM BST
Newcastle’s final six games
Saturday 19th April: Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Saturday 26th April: Newcastle vs Ipswich
Sunday 4th May: Brighton vs Newcastle
Saturday 10th May: Newcastle vs Chelsea
Sunday 18th May: Arsenal vs Newcastle
Sunday 25th May: Newcastle vs Everton
09:31 PM BST
How it stands at the top after 32 games
- Liverpool- 76 points
- Arsenal- 63 points
- Newcastle- 59 points
- Nottingham Forest- 57 points
- Manchester City- 55 points
09:31 PM BST
FT stats
Possession: Newcastle 60%-40% Crystal Palace
Shots: 14-11
Shots on target: 7-4
Corners: 5-4
Touches in opposition box: 18-28
09:29 PM BST
Full time
There is the final whistle and Newcastle have thumped Crystal Palace 5-0. That win takes Newcastle into third place with six games remaining.
09:26 PM BST
90+2 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Gordon has an opportunity to make it 6-0 as he drives all the way from halfway to the edge of the box but his curling shot towards the far corner goes wide.
09:25 PM BST
90+1 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Nketiah fires a shot towards goal from the left-hand side of the box but it is straight at Pope.
09:25 PM BST
90 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace should take advantage of a big Newcastle error but they cannot, which probably sums up their night. Newcastle lose possession deep in their own half and Wharton gets to it first ahead of an onrushing Pope. The ball towards Nketiah though is behind him and the chance is gone.
There will be five added minutes at the end of this match.
09:23 PM BST
88 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
The changes for Newcastle have definitely taken a bit of the momentum away from them but it is understandable and probably sensible to take players like Isak and Bruno off with the game won with a tough game against Aston Villa on the horizon on Saturday.
09:20 PM BST
86 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Nketiah takes on an effort from the left-hand side of the box but his shot hits the side netting. Other than Eze missing the penalty, Crystal Palace have barely threatened the Newcastle goal.
09:19 PM BST
85 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace are making their final substitution of the night as Devenny replaces Lerma.
09:14 PM BST
80 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Mitchell wins a corner off Barnes out on the left. Kamada sends in the corner but it is a very easy catch for Pope.
09:12 PM BST
78 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Munoz takes down Gordon and is booked. The Crystal Palace wing-back is not happy with Gordon, calling for him to get up. It was a foul but a yellow seems a little harsh.
Newcastle make their final change as Krafth replaces Trippier.
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A harsh yellow? - Andy Buchanan/Getty Images
09:09 PM BST
75 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace make their fourth change as Esse replaces Sarr.
09:08 PM BST
74 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace have had very little threat in this second half and I am not sure Oliver Glasner will be too impressed with the reaction, or lack of, since the break. Newcastle have completely and utterly dominated this match.
09:06 PM BST
72 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Double change for the hosts as Longstaff and Wilson come on for Bruno and Isak.
09:04 PM BST
69 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Newcastle have a couple of corners in quick succession, which ends with Tonali taking on a first-time volley from the edge of the box which is well-blocked. He hit it well so the block was quite important.
09:01 PM BST
67 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Bruno is the latest player into the book and he can have no complaints, despite his protestations. He slides in on Wharton and takes him out so a pretty clear-cut yellow card.
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Cannot have too many complaints about that yellow card - Craig Brough/Reuters
09:01 PM BST
66 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Wharton is fouled by Willock and Crystal Palace will be able to send this free-kick into the Newcastle box. Kamada sends it in and it comes all the way to the back post to the feet of Lerma, who takes too long to get his shot off and wastes the chance.
08:58 PM BST
64 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Chance for the visitors. Mitchell stands up a cross from the left and Munoz gets his head on it but it hits his own teammates, which may have prevented it from going in. Pope once again was flapping at that cross and has not looked comfortable tonight.
08:56 PM BST
62 mins: Newcastle 5 Crystal Palace 0
Lerma is booked for a foul on Schar and so is Burn for his reaction.
Crystal Palace made a triple change moments ago and now Newcastle make a double change. Gordon and Willock are coming on for Joelinton and Murphy.
08:52 PM BST
GOAL! Isak makes it 5-0
The Swede has wasted numerous chances tonight but he does not miss this time. It comes from a dreadful mistake from Lacroix, who is dispossessed deep inside the Crystal Palace half. Isak takes advantage with a first-time effort into the bottom right corner. Clinical finish and this could get very, very ugly for the visitors.
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Alexander Isak gets his 21st Premier League goal of the season - Owen Humphreys/PA
08:50 PM BST
56 mins: Newcastle 4 Crystal Palace 0
Oliver Glasner has now decided he has seen enough and is making a triple change. Nketiah, Kamada and Wharton are making their way onto the pitch in place of Mateta, Hughes and Eze.
08:46 PM BST
52 mins: Newcastle 4 Crystal Palace 0
Isak spurns yet another good chance tonight. Burn flicks on a free-kick with his head and it falls to Isak, just 10 yards out. He takes it first time but his effort is straight at Henderson. Isak could very easily have had a hat-trick tonight.
08:45 PM BST
51 mins: Newcastle 4 Crystal Palace 0
Hughes is booked, much to the delight of the home fans and disappointment of Hughes himself. It was a late challenge on Bruno and he has committed a few other fouls as well. That is the first yellow card of the night.
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Hughes into the book - Craig Brough/Reuters
08:45 PM BST
50 mins: Newcastle 4 Crystal Palace 0
Barnes is found in acres of space out on the left and he moves into the Crystal Palace box. It is great defending though from Munoz, who stands up well as Barnes cuts inside and blocks the shot.
08:41 PM BST
47 mins: Newcastle 4 Crystal Palace 0
Livramento sends in a chipped cross from the left-hand side of the box but it is too close to Henderson, who makes an easy catch.
08:39 PM BST
Second half
We are back under way at St. James’ Park. Oliver Glasner has opted against making any changes at the break but surely it cannot be long until he does.
08:34 PM BST
As it stands
With a win looking very likely for Newcastle this evening, they are set to move into third place:
- Liverpool- 76 points
- Arsenal- 63 points
- Newcastle- 59 points
- Nottingham Forest- 57 points
- Manchester City- 55 points
(All played 32 games)
08:30 PM BST
HT stats
Possession: Newcastle 62%-38% Crystal Palace
Shots: 9-6
Shots on target: 5-2
Corners: 3-2
Touches in opposition box: 16-7
08:24 PM BST
Half time
That is it for the first half and Newcastle are in complete control at the break with a 4-0 lead. Crystal Palace could have made it 1-1 but Eze missed his penalty in terrible style and boy have Newcastle punished him for that mistake.
08:23 PM BST
GOAL! Schar adds a fourth for Newcastle
4-0 Newcastle. The hosts add another before we hit half time. Murphy sends in a delightful ball from the right, which Schar flicks on into the far corner. Game, set and match you have to think already.
What a pass, what a header!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2025
08:21 PM BST
45+5 mins: Newcastle 3 Crystal Palace 0
A long throw causes Newcastle problems as it is flicked onto Mateta. On the six-yard box the Crystal Palace striker takes a great touch and turns, only to be thwarted by a key interception from Livramento. Had he not stepped in Mateta would surely have scored from only six yards out.
08:17 PM BST
GOAL! Barnes adds Newcastle’s third
The home side have a third goal before the break. Crystal Palace are so open and the hosts takes advantage. Tonali finds Barnes to his left in acres of space. Barnes drives into the box as Lacroix comes across but a clever step-over gets Barnes past Lacroix and then fires his shot across Henderson and in off the far post. 3-0 Newcastle.
08:15 PM BST
45 mins: Newcastle 2 Crystal Palace 0
There will be seven added minutes at the end of this first half, owing to that lengthy VAR check for Crystal Palace’s penalty.
08:14 PM BST
44 mins: Newcastle 2 Crystal Palace 0
Sarr is played in behind the Newcastle defence but Pope is out quickly to deal with the danger. The offside flag goes up anyway so it would not have counted anyway even if Sarr had got to it first and scored.
08:12 PM BST
42 mins: Newcastle 2 Crystal Palace 0
Newcastle should be 3-0 up. Bruno is found on the right-hand side of the penalty area by Trippier and he cuts inside. Instead of taking on the shot, which had opened up for him, he lays it across to Isak, whose initial effort is blocked by Richards. He then has another chance but smashes it wide. Isak has wasted a few chances tonight.
08:07 PM BST
GOAL! Newcastle add their second through Guehi own goal
It should have been 1-1 moments ago but now it is 2-0 to the home side. Livramento finds Barnes down the left-hand channel and his ball across the six-yard box takes a significant deflection off a sliding Guehi, which goes past Henderson and into the Crystal Palace net. Guehi had to slide in with Isak not far behind him waiting for a tap-in. Not even two minutes separated the penalty miss and that goal. Guehi scored an own goal in the reverse fixture and he has an own goal to his name tonight.
08:06 PM BST
PENALTY SAVED!
What was Eze doing? It is a stuttered run-up, he stops just before taking it and then the effort is awful. It was so bad that even though Pope had semi lost his footing, he still manages to get down to his left to make the save. That was an awful penalty. Was Eze put off by some of the antics from the home players before he took the penalty? Quite possibly but that was still a terrible penalty.
08:04 PM BST
PENALTY CRYSTAL PALACE!
Common sense has seemingly prevailed as referee Darren England points to the spot. The visitors have a penalty, which Eze will take...
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A chance for the visitors to equalise from the spot - Scott Heppell/Reuters
08:04 PM BST
33 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
This is taking some time as they look whether Pope got any touch on it.
08:03 PM BST
32 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
VAR has recommended an on-field review and rightly so. That is a penalty all day long and Crystal Palace are going to be awarded a penalty in all likelihood in the next few moments...
08:02 PM BST
31 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace win a free-kick inside the Newcastle half and Eze will send it into the Newcastle box. Pope comes a long way out of his goal and seemingly misses it. Richards goes down after the contact from Pope as Lerma then heads towards goal, which Burn clears. Should VAR be taking a look at that for a possible penalty? Pope gets none of the ball and takes out Richards. VAR is taking a long look...
07:58 PM BST
28 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
Barnes is cynically brought down by Hughes, who has just signed a new contract with the visitors, down the left and Newcastle will send it into the Crystal Palace box. Newcastle take it short and then Tonali sends the ball into the penalty area, forcing Lerma to head behind for a corner.
Trippier’s flat delivery is headed away.
07:56 PM BST
26 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
Isak will be disappointed with himself there. The ball comes to him in a central position inside the Crystal Palace half and the hosts have a two-on-one, with Barnes free to his left. It should be a fairly simple pass but he gets it all wrong and the ball rolls through to Henderson.
07:51 PM BST
21 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
Newcastle are getting a lot of joy down their right and they attack down that side once more. Trippier plays the ball forward to Murphy, who plays the ball across the box, forcing Richards to divert it behind for a corner. Trippier sends in the corner but Richards, the man who gave away the corner, heads away from danger.
07:48 PM BST
17 mins: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0
The ball is fed back to Hughes in the D just outside the Newcastle box but his first-time effort goes wide. As it stands Newcastle are moving into third place in the Premier League.
07:44 PM BST
GOAL! Murphy stunner gives hosts the lead
What a finish! Moments after Bruno had wasted a great chance to slip in either Barnes or Isak, Newcastle do take the lead. Trippier feeds the ball forward to Murphy on the right-hand edge of the box and he opts to shoot from a very narrow angle. He beats Henderson at his near post with a stinging effort and it ends up in the top of the net. It looked like he meant that and, if he did, that is a sublime finish. That is his fifth goal in his last nine Premier League appearances. 1-0 Newcastle.
07:43 PM BST
12 mins: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Trippier is found on the right-hand side of the box after a ball over the top but his first-time volleyed cross is straight at Henderson.
07:40 PM BST
9 mins: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Another big chance falls to Isak. Murphy sends in delightful first-time ball from the right and picks out Isak. The Swede meets the cross well but his header goes just over the bar. His first effort was a good save to deny him but he should have found the target with that header.
07:39 PM BST
8 mins: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Hughes sends in an inswinger and Richards meets it but he cannot get his header on target. He should really be hitting the target there.
07:39 PM BST
7 mins: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Big chance for Newcastle. Murphy finds space down the right and pulls it back to Isak in the centre on the edge of the box. The Swede takes it first time and must have thought he was about to find the bottom corner but Henderson gets down really well to his left to parry the ball away.
Down the other end Crystal Palace create an opportunity as Munoz sends in a cross from the right but Schar steps in with a crucial interception with Mateta behind him. Corner for the visitors.
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Good early opportunity for Alexander Isak - Andy Buchanan/Getty Images
07:37 PM BST
6 mins: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Schar crashes into the back of Mateta on halfway and, despite Schar’s protestations, a free-kick to the visitors is given. Schar needs to be a little careful there as that was probably not far off a booking.
07:35 PM BST
5 mins: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace make their first foray forward and Mateta finds Sarr out on the right. Sarr sends in a cross but it is far too close to Pope, who makes an easy catch under no real pressure.
07:31 PM BST
1 min: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0
Newcastle are not far off taking the lead after just 20 seconds. Murphy sends in a dangerous ball from the right which just evades Isak and also Joelinton on the stretch. Crystal Palace divert it behind for a corner, which they deal with.
07:30 PM BST
Kick-off
We are under way at St. James’ Park.
07:27 PM BST
Jason Tindall speaking to Sky Sports
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Eddie Howe is still absent in hospital - Serena Taylor/Getty Images
07:26 PM BST
Kick-off fast approaching
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at St. James’ Park.
07:23 PM BST
Reminder of the teams
Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton, Tonali, Bruno G, Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Substitutes: Dubravka, Wilson, Gordon, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Hughes, Lerma, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Substitutes: Turner, Nketiah, Franca, Clyne, Kamada, Wharton, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny.
07:21 PM BST
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports
"He's the ultimate modern day centre-back."
Jamie Redknapp reflects on Marc Guehi's influence at Crystal Palace
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2025
07:17 PM BST
Alan Pardew on Sky Sports
07:14 PM BST
Visitors gearing up
In a parallel universe, Marc Guehi could have been lining up for the hosts tonight as Newcastle chased him hard last summer.
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Crystal Palace welcome back Marc Guehi from suspension - George Wood/Getty Images
07:11 PM BST
Hosts getting ready
07:04 PM BST
Guehi returns from suspension
07:00 PM BST
Nick Pope gearing up
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Newcastle could move into third place in the Premier League tonight with victory - Craig Brough/Reuters
06:54 PM BST
Newcastle’s run-in
Tonight: Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 19th April: Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Saturday 26th April: Newcastle vs Ipswich
Sunday 4th May: Brighton vs Newcastle
Saturday 10th May: Newcastle vs Chelsea
Sunday 18th May: Arsenal vs Newcastle
Sunday 25th May: Newcastle vs Everton
06:47 PM BST
Jason Tindall interview: ‘The most irritating man in football? I don’t give a s--- what you think’
For more from Luke Edwards’ exclusive interview with Tindall, click here.
06:41 PM BST
Newcastle make contingency plan if Howe misses rest of season
For more Sam Dean and Jason Meller, click here.
06:36 PM BST
Crystal Palace’s recent results
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton (Premier League)
Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace (FA Cup)
06:32 PM BST
Newcastle’s recent results
Newcastle 4-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Leicester 0-3 Newcastle (Premier League)
Newcastle 2-1 Brentford (Premier League)
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle (League Cup)
06:28 PM BST
Full team news
Newcastle are unchanged from their 4-1 home win over Manchester United last Sunday. They do welcome back Joe Willock from concussion.
Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton, Tonali, Bruno G, Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Substitutes: Dubravka, Wilson, Gordon, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
Crystal Palace make two changes from their 5-2 defeat at Manchester City last weekend. Marc Guehi returns from suspension and Will Hughes comes into the starting XI. Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada drop to the bench. Eddie Nketiah, Matt Turner and Romain Esse also return to the matchday squad on the bench after a mixture of illness and suspension.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Hughes, Lerma, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Substitutes: Turner, Nketiah, Franca, Clyne, Kamada, Wharton, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny.
06:25 PM BST
Hosts arriving
06:23 PM BST
How things stand
06:19 PM BST
Quotes from Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner
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Crystal Palace have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to later this month - Craig Brough/Reuters
06:16 PM BST
Crystal Palace team news
06:15 PM BST
Newcastle team news
06:10 PM BST
Match preview
Newcastle’s quest for a top-four finish continues this evening as they host Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park. The hosts, who thrashed Manchester United 4-1 at home last Sunday, begin the night in fourth place on 56 points having played a game less than the teams around them. With a victory tonight they would move into third place above Nottingham Forest. Their head coach Eddie Howe will continue to be absent as he recovers in hospital from pneumonia. Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall and coach Graeme Jones are currently in charge with Howe absent, and Tindall has admitted he is not sure on exactly when the boss will return to the sideline.
“There is no exact timeframe. That is something we will assess day by day. The only question I can answer is that he is in the best possible hands and everything will be guided by them on a day-to-day basis. He will only come back when he is ready to come back and it will be on the guidance of the people taking care of him. Your health is the most important thing and that is why it is so important that when Eddie does decide to come back, he comes back and he is able to lead the team as we know he does day in, day out and he is fully recovered, and I am sure he will do.
“He is not a silly guy, Eddie, he will take notice of what is said to him and he will make sure he is fully recovered when he comes back. And the sooner he is back, as I said before, the better for everybody but only at a time when he feels he is ready to come back and he is 100 per cent to lead the team.”
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Jason Tindall is holding down the reins whilst Eddie Howe is in hospital - Serena Taylor/Getty Images
Since the middle of December, only league leaders Liverpool (41) have won more league points than Newcastle (36). The hosts will welcome back Joe Willock, who has passed concussion protocols to be available tonight. However Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles are long-term absentees.
Tonight’s visitors, who begin the night in 12th place, have won 11 and lost only three of their last 16 matches in all competitions. Last weekend they went 2-0 up during the first half of their match at Manchester City but fell to a 5-2 defeat. They do though welcome back Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah after both players missed their loss at Manchester City after red cards in their victory over Brighton at the start of the month. Romain Esse and Matt Turner return from illness but Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are long-term absentees.
In the reverse fixture back in November the game ended in a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace have won just one of their last seven league games against Newcastle, drawing four times and losing twice.
Team news to follow shortly.
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