Former Chelsea star left unimpressed by what Newcastle United did v Crystal Palace

The Magpies endured a frustrating evening at Selhurst Park.
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Former Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer insisted his old club should remain positive after dropping two points at Crystal Palace.

The Magpies enjoyed the better of the game but struggled to create too many opportunities to open the scoring against a Palace side that looked short of confidence and energy. Eddie Howe’s men had sights of goal with Callum Wilson, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak all failing to make the most of headed opportunities as their side secured a point that moves them back into third place in the Premier League table for at least 24 hours.

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However, United were grateful for a stunning late stop from goalkeeper Nick Pope as the England stopper produced a fine reaction save to tip a powerful shot by Palace substitute Jean Philippe Mateta over his crossbar to preserve his 15th clean sheet of the season.

Dyer was part of Sky Sports punditry team for the game and he felt the Magpies should have taken all three points - but praised Palace for limiting their hosts to ‘no real clear-cut chances’.

He said: “They did dominate the game, but as a Newcastle fan watching that, you can’t be too negative about Newcastle this season.

Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron reacts after a missed chance at Selhurst Park.Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron reacts after a missed chance at Selhurst Park.
Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron reacts after a missed chance at Selhurst Park.

“Yes, there is a game they could have taken three points but it wasn’t to be. We talked about Newcastle as a defensive team and you’ve got to give credit to Palace because for all of the domination Newcastle had, they limited them to no real clear-cut chances. So fair play to Crystal Palace, they dug in there, they looked like they didn’t have much energy but they ground out a point. Listen, it’s all still positive for Newcastle.”

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However, former Middlesbrough and Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the Magpies suffered for their lack of quality in the final third and insisted they have to win at places like Selhurst Park if they want to establish themselves in the top four this season.

“I still think it’s two points lost for Newcastle, especially where they are in that top four and wanting to stay there,” he explained.

“When you are on top in these games, and they were, you need to find a way to win these games. Their final pass was not good enough and they could not create that big chance. At the end they were lucky not to lose it because their goalkeeper has had to make the save of the game. So I think it’s two points lost for Newcastle but they’ve come a long way and if you want to get into the top four, you need to go to these places and win.”