Alan Pardew is denied a win against his previous employers, as Newcastle grind out a point in South London.
Much like Sunday’s draw against Stoke, Newcastle & Crystal Palace struggled to show any cutting edge quality in a gritty, battling game of football at Norwood Junction.
Despite a brief confrontation with John Carver on Monday morning, Remy Cabella would resume his role on the right wing, who once again proved to be Newcastle’s most potent threat throughout. Although Cabella’s still adapting to the Premier League, his license to drive forward from Carver gives him more opportunity to run at Full-Backs Joe Ward & Martin Kelly.
Injured Sammy Ameobi was replaced for Yoan Gouffran, whilst Vurnon Anita dropped to be bench for Papiss Cisse, in the only two changes from the side that drew with Stoke the previous Sunday. A return of Ryan Taylor to Newcastle’s bench was also a delight to see, given his breakdown after coming off injured against QPR last November.
The early exchanges were mainly contested by Palace, with Newcastle happy to sit-back & break on the counter when necessary. Nothing particularly troubled Tim Krul’s goal, with Joe Ledley’s header from a set-piece sailing high & wide.
Yaya Sanogo was substituted early in the first half, having pulled up with a groin strain. Sanogo would be replaced by former Sunderland man Frazier Campbell, who immediately had an impact for the hosts. A swinging cross from Jason Puncheon would be headed past Krul, only to be correctly ruled out for offside by the linesman.
Just minutes later, Newcastle pulled ahead. A bursting run from Daryl Janmaat down the right lead to a cross, headed home from an unmarked Papiss Cisse. That was Cisse’s 10th Premier League goal of the campaign, & his grafting prior to went criminally undermined.
As a spectator in the 2nd row from the front, I saw Cisse 1st hand use some excellent flair, strength, closing-down & overall working hard for his team-mates & leaving Brede Hangeland for dead. I think Papiss was motivated having a strike partner in Ayoze Perez behind him, also playing some neat passes & tricks around Brede & Delaney.
One fan was spotted at the front of the away end proudly showing off his ‘Sack Pardew’ banner from months previously, waving it at Palace fans in jest – it was me.
The 2nd half picked up from where it left off, Palace turning the screw & Newcastle soaking up the pressure. Once again, Pardew’s Palace were unable to conjure up any major chances from set-pieces (shock horror), Janmaat being booked for dissent & Colback for another mis-timed tackle in consecutive games. Mike Williamson had a shot at goal on the half-volley from the edge of the D, which came nowhere near close to troubling Palace ‘keeper Speroni.
Pardew would bring on Dwight Gayle & Yannick Bolasie to add pace, stretching the full-backs for crosses. The equalizer would duly follow, in similar fashion to Newcastle’s opener. A low cross from the right & some poor man-marking from Mike Williamson lead to substitute Frazier Campbell equalizing from just outside the 6-yard box, past Krul’s left.
The momentum had shifted, with the home side’s fans in full voice. Newcastle’s heads had initially dropped, with Wilfried Zaha taking full advantage whom had a goal bound effort blocked by Janmaat. Carver sensed a potential backlash, & instantly changed tactics, looking to shut-up-shot. Cisse would be replaced by holding midfielder Mehdi Abeid & Cabella would come off for make shift left winger Paul Dummett, making his first appearance since coming off injured v Southampton.
The away fans were vocally aggrieved by these decisions. For all the talk of working with Sir Bobby Robson (RIP), Carver was evidently giving up on the win & settling for a draw. Emmanuel Riviere would make a late cameo appearance to pressurize the backline for the final moments, before Andre Marriner blew the final whistle.
Another point gained, as opposed to two embarrassingly lost against our former gaffer. In most other circumstances, a point away from home would look reasonable – & it does. However, given the next 8 fixtures to follow, Newcastle must be sure to not spiral into trouble. 10 points above the drop zone can easily evaporate if matches against the likes of Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool & Sunderland don’t go an ideal way for Newcastle.
With the FA Cup being held this weekend, Newcastle don’t play again competitively until Saturday 21st at The Etihad Stadium against champions Man City, live on Sky.
A few side notes from the report:
- Coloccini being hit with a coin during celebration is nothing short of out of line. No one was taunted, it was completely unnecessary of the home crowd & I hope the club are reprimanded.
- Mike Williamson: the definition of stealing a living. For 90 minutes he hoofed balls unnecessarily into the stands, before standing & pointing at others calling the shots. Coloccini is weighed down by him, Paul Dummett needs to return alongside centre-half with him as soon as possible.
