First team stalwart fights for future: Three things learned about Newcastle v Crystal Palace
COMMENT
Newcastle United were forced to settle for a point against Crystal Palace after conceding the lead at Selhurst Park in their Premier League clash on Sunday. Mohamed Diame scored the first goal of the game for the Magpies with a first half strike, sneaking round the back post to poke home unmarked from a corner which bounced through a crowded Palace box. However, despite the best efforts of Karl Darlow, the visitors were unable to keep a clean sheet, with Ciaran Clark's shirt pull on Christian Benteke giving Luka Milivojevic the chance to score from a penalty, despite the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball. The draw leaves Newcastle sitting in 16th, just one point off the relegation zone, while the home side sit two points and two places ahead in 14th. So what can fans take away from the clash at Palace? Here,
Football Insider
analyses three things learned in Sunday's clash against Roy Hodgson's men, including one first team star who should be fearing for his future at the club.
Click below to see the first thing we learned in Newcastle United's clash v Crystal Palace
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A real game of two halves
During the opening 45 minutes, Newcastle looked good value for their lead, although the likes of Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles were tested at times by the home side. However everything changed after the break, and the Magpies may well consider themselves lucky to have escaped with a point after their goal came under real siege, including a late surge which saw bodies flying around to deny Roy Hodgson's men. Rafael Benitez will be fuming at his side's complacency in the second half and conceding the lead will be a huge frustration to both the squad and the fans.
Click below to see the second thing we learned in Newcastle United's clash v Crystal Palace
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Darlow the unsung hero
One man who shone against the Eagles was Karl Darlow, who pulled off several impressive stops to deny a series of chances from a threatening Palace attack. He will be feeling the pressure now Martin Dubravka has joined until the end of the season but really he could have done very little more to help his side to a point, including a good dive which nearly stopped the penalty. His distribution might leave something to be desired but when his primary objective is to stop the ball going in the back of the net, the former Nottingham Forest man performed admirably.
Click below to see the third thing we learned in Newcastle United's clash v Crystal Palace
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Ritchie fighting for future
The Scottish international has been a stalwart in the Magpies' first team this season but with performances like the one he put in at Selhurst Park, there must be questions whether he should continue to be used so regularly. He has struggled to have had the same sort of impact he did at the start of the season, and with Kenedy and Jonjo Shelvey taking on set piece duties, he did not have much to do against the Eagles. The Chelsea loanee has started the last two games and with Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy also vying for a starting role on either of the wings, Benitez must be wondering whether Ritchie's lack of impact deserves the axe. In other Newcastle United news,