Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday at Selhurst Park was another frustrating chapter in what has been a season of inconsistency for Eddie Howe’s side. While it’s clear that the team didn’t deserve all three points, the nature of the game—especially conceding an equalizer in the dying moments—left a bitter taste. Despite a series of missed opportunities, it was Newcastle’s inability to seize control of the game that stood out most. While goalkeeper Nick Pope may have been criticized for his role in Daniel Munoz’s late equalizer, the team’s overall performance highlighted deeper concerns that went beyond the goalkeeping position.
The game itself was a lackluster affair. Newcastle didn’t register a single shot on target against a struggling Crystal Palace team, and they only managed to score through an own goal by former transfer target Marc Guehi. While the goal came from a well-executed set-piece, it wasn’t the result of an overwhelming attacking display or incisive play. The fact that Palace were able to claw back a point underlined how little Newcastle offered going forward. Their inability to kill off the game was especially disappointing given that they were playing against an Eagles team that had been far from their best this season. It was a missed opportunity to collect three crucial points.
Newcastle’s attacking struggles have been a recurring theme throughout the season, and Saturday’s result only served to highlight that issue once more. The team’s inability to break down a Palace side that had been conceding goals freely this season will have raised eyebrows. While there have been individual flashes of brilliance from players like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães, the collective effort has often been lacking, especially in the final third.
The failure to get a result from Selhurst Park came just days after a disappointing loss to West Ham, leaving Eddie Howe and his staff with plenty to think about. With tough fixtures on the horizon, including a home game against Liverpool and an away trip to Brentford, the pressure is mounting for the manager to find solutions quickly. The next week could be pivotal in terms of Newcastle’s season, and Howe will need to rally his squad to turn around their fortunes.
In the aftermath of the draw, Newcastle’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell, was seen at Selhurst Park, which is noteworthy given his key role behind the scenes. Mitchell, along with performance director James Bunce, made their way to the dressing room after the match to offer support and sympathy to the players and coaching staff. According to reports from *The Chronicle*, the two were keen to provide some comfort to Eddie Howe’s side, acknowledging their frustration at failing to hold onto their lead.
Mitchell has been one of the key figures at Newcastle since his arrival, and his relationship with Eddie Howe has been widely discussed. Despite the recent results, Mitchell has been full of praise for Howe’s tactical approach and the improvements he’s made at the club. It’s clear that Mitchell values Howe’s methods, but like many supporters, he will have been concerned by the team’s struggles in front of goal. While the performance against Palace was disappointing, it wasn’t an isolated incident. Newcastle’s attacking issues have been a persistent theme throughout the 2024/25 season, and Mitchell will be keen to see improvements sooner rather than later.
While Mitchell’s public comments have been positive, the pressure is beginning to mount on the club’s leadership to address the ongoing issues. The team’s attacking malaise, which has affected their ability to score goals and break down opposition defenses, needs to be resolved if they are to achieve their goals for the season. With difficult fixtures approaching, the urgency for improvement is clear.
In the dressing room after the Palace match, Mitchell and Bunce’s visit likely served as a reminder to the squad of the support available to them, but also as a subtle push for better performances moving forward. With key games against Liverpool and Brentford coming up, there is little time for Newcastle to dwell on their recent setbacks. If things don’t improve quickly, the pressure on both Howe and Mitchell will only intensify.
Newcastle’s attacking struggles are something that can’t be ignored any longer, and it will be up to the club’s leadership, including Howe and Mitchell, to find the right solutions before the season slips away.
