Newcastle United slumped to their eighth defeat yesterday as Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace side put five into the back of Rob Elliot’s net.
The Magpies started the game brightly, with Papiss Cisse netting the opener with just ten minutes on the clock – though the lead did not last long. Just seven minutes later, the tables had turned and Crystal Palace had netted twice to take the lead.
Despite McClaren’s desperate attempt to stop the rot, by bringing on Jamaal Lascelles for Ayoze Perez, the Eagles ran riot and were eventual 5-1 winners.
The defeat adds to a long list of embarrassing results for McClaren’s side – which also includes a 6-1 thrashing at the Etihad, a 3-0 home defeat to Leicester and a disappointing early exit in the Capital One Cup to Sheffield Wednesday.
The Geordie faithful have been patient and have backed McClaren to turn around the club’s fortunes but, with just two wins in 14 league games, it looks like his time is up.
Though, according to the Daily Mail, controversial owner Mike Ashley is not prepared to sack the former Derby County boss just yet.
Ashley does not believe Newcastle are currently in any danger of being relegated and will not act until the club’s position worsens. By that time, could it be too little too late?
