If anyone thought we’d suffer a post-Wembley hangover, they were very wrong.
Since that 2-1 win over Liverpool, trophy lift and the brilliant celebrations that followed, we’ve brushed aside Brentford, Leicester and Man Utd by an aggregate score of 9-2, sending us up to fourth and with a huge opportunity heading into tomorrow’s game in hand.
It’ll be tricky against a Palace who have won six of their last 10, but beat them and we’ll go third, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest and moving five ahead of rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa; who we play at Villa Park on Saturday.
Eddie Howe will sit out both games after a pneumonia diagnosis. We wish the boss well and hope he’s making a swift and full recovery from hospital, but know he’ll be buoyed by what was an electric, ruthless and relentless display on Sunday, where we absolutely battered Man Utd in that second half.
Hopefully those levels do not drop against a Palace team third in the Premier League form table over the last 10 games…
Team news
Anthony Gordon is available again after returning to the squad on Sunday, while Joelinton is hoping to avoid a two-game ban for the final time; avoid a booking here and he’s escaped a 10th yellow before the cut-off.
Joe Willock could be back after missing our last two due to concussion protocols, but Sven Botman (knee), Lewis Hall (foot) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out.
For Palace, captain and Toon target Marc Guehi is back from a one-game ban along with Eddie Nketiah.
Predicted line-up
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Unless we feel the need to rotate slightly with Saturday’s trip to Villa in mind and field a few fresh legs, I just can’t see us changing a side that’s won every game since Wembley.
Anthony Gordon will be gunning for a start now he’s fit again and back from a previous three-game ban, but I can’t see Barnes coming out of the side anytime soon after three goals and two assists in our last four.
Hopefully Isak is OK to go again – three games in seven days will test his groin issues this week – and that Joelinton avoids that 10th yellow that would see him banned for Villa and Ipswich.
At the back, Tino will have his hands full against a marauding Munoz and pacey Sarr, but he’s up to the task after keeping Bowen, Salah and Mbeumo quiet over the past month!
Key battles
It’ll be interesting to see how we handle the elusive Ebere Eze who loves to cut in from the right, but they will have their own battles, with few able to outwork our all-action midfield three. Adam Wharton will certainly be in for a test up against Tonali, Bruno and big Joe.
Guehi against Isak will be ab interesting watch and, at the other end, throwback striker Mateta will be a handful for Schar and Burn, providing he gets into the game more than he did at Man City on Saturday, where he was hooked at half-time.
Match prediction
This will not be easy and a far bigger test compared to the feeble effort put forward by Man Utd on Sunday.
Before they shipped five at Man City over the weekend (where Guehi was a big miss), they boasted the best defensive record away from home, so they’ll be a much tougher nut to crack.
However, we are on a mission to return to the Champions League, we’ve won six in a row in all competitions, arrive fresh from a second half masterclass against Man Utd and hungry to move third.
It’ll be tight, I suspect, but I think we’ll JUST get the job done…
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace
Howay the lads!
I hope your prediction is right Olly, they will offer a lot more threat than Manure.
Think it will be a Brentford type of game and wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a draw.
The team picks itself at the moment but we will need real discipline at the back and hope we get some the breaks.
Joseph(Quote)
Fingers crossed we can get another result here but Palace are a lot different to that poor Manchester side. Gordon will have to wait I think. Barnes has to keep his place. Isak needs to get some form back too. Let’s see. I think 2-1 is a good shout.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Going to be a much tougher test than Man u were that’s for sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
Unchanged team. Ok, well let’s see what they can do. Glad Harvey kept his place. Quite right.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The palace front three of Eze, Mateta and Sarr can be very quick and very dangerous. I hope we can keep them quiet.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What a gooooooaaaaaaallllll Murphy
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ohhhh Pope! Not again…. It great save
And Barnessssssss 2-0
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Harveyyyyyyyyy. 3-0
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Hellooooooo. Oooo oooo oooo ? Anyone here!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
4! Fab and Murph. Amazing first half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Just got in late, thinking it was an 8pm kick off. So it’s 1-0. watching the text on the BBC. First refresh Penalty. Then Saved, then 2-0, then 3-0 Finally four nil. Time to make a cuppa.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Excellent first half Prem! And Isak has also wasted at least 3 golden chances.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Same here Prem, missed most the first half😠main thing is we are winning .
Seen the goals in the half time chat, what was Pope thinking?
kimtoon(Quote)
Isakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kimtoon(Quote)
What a brilliant goal that is.
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s Good. Jo avoided his yellow card
PremAndUp(Quote)
Yes that was vital.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well done lads great result, that’ll help Eddie feel better.
kimtoon(Quote)
Big ask, but can we push on and get 2nd?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Well, I didn’t see that coming. 5-0. Isak finally gets his goal. Amazing. Up to third. Bring on Villa.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I really hope so now mate!
Gilly Toon(Quote)