NEWCASTLE: Expectations have risen so high at St. James’ Park that a dominant home point against Crystal Palace is greeted with disappointment, rather than positivity.
But such is the way in what has been a transformative 12 months on Tyneside.
Looking at the scoreline alone, Newcastle United’s 0-0 stalemate with the Eagles on home turf bore all the hallmarks of regimes gone by — but this was very different from last season, even if the result was not.
Put simply, United did everything but score against Palace, having controlled the encounter from minute one to 95.
Head coach Eddie Howe made two changes to the side that was desperately unlucky at Anfield in midweek, suffering a late 2-1 loss to last season’s cup double winners Liverpool.
The only adjustments were in the center of defense, with Sven Botman and Fabian Schar replacing Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn.
Much as they did at Wolves, and for most of the opening 45 against Liverpool, Newcastle dominated possession, stroking the ball from left to right, with Schar and Botman, as well as the lively Sean Longstaff, chief tormentors.
While chances proved hard to create, some swift work by new boy Alexander Isak threatened to open the scoring.
The club’s record signing charged down a hesitant clearance from Joachim Anderson and raced through on goal, but just as he tried to lift over Vicente Guaita, the Spaniard stretched out an arm to deny him.
Joelinton, who had a bit of an off game by his standards, then hit the side-netting with a volley after a smartly worked corner straight off the training pitch, before Cheick Doucoure cleared one off the line from a Longstaff header.
At the other end, Palace’s threat was fleeting at best, although Nick Pope had to show good hands to deny a stern Jean-Philippe Mateta strike at goal.
Miguel Almiron was next to trouble Patrick Vieira’s men as his neat control and drive from a cleared corner ricocheted off Guaita’s post. Just before half-time Guaita was again called into action, and this time a Botman volley destined for the bottom corner was diverted wide.
United looked to have taken the lead early in the second half when Tyrick Mitchell turned the ball into his own net. The goal was given, but on second look via VAR, referee Michael Salisbury controversially ruled it out over Joe Willock's collision with Guaita, although it was Mitchell’s push which caused it.
Continuing to knock at the door, Almiron was next to fire wide after a smart move.
Howe threw on Elliot Anderson in the closing stages, but the youngster nicknamed the “Geordie Maradona” could not prise open the resolute Palace backline.
Willock had the last chance of the encounter, but could do no more than shank wide with the goal at his mercy after a Botman knockdown from a corner.
After going toe-to-toe with Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks, this match felt like a bit of a let-down, but there will always be bumps on the road to the top. And while this is a definite blow, the transformation from last season is there for all to see.
This is no longer a passive Newcastle, one that threatens only on the transition and counter-attack.
As was evidenced at Wolves and against Nottingham Forest earlier this season, this is a United keen to starve the opposition of chances and possession, and cut sharp when given the opportunity.
Sadly, on this given afternoon, Howe and United were blunt in their final ball and finish. But if they keep creating, draws will soon turn to wins.
