Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat at Selhurst Park: “I thought we were in total control with 60 minutes gone, but their substitutes made a difference. Jean-Philippe Mateta, in particular, proved a difficult customer for us to deal with. The defeat is harsh on us because we controlled the majority of the first half and phases of the second half.
“It’s becoming difficult for us with how things are going for us, especially when protecting a lead. The goal we conceded at the end is really poor from our perspective.”
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On whether European football is now out of the conversation: “I don’t know. That’s the furthest thing from my thoughts at the moment. Delivering for our supporters is definitely number one on our priority list, always. We want to do the supporters justice because they travel across the country to watch and support us. They are very loyal and we are letting them down at the moment.”
On the support he is receiving from the club: “I have no complaints about anything internal at all. I have got complaints on the results – and that is my job.”
Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also spoke to Sky Sports: “It’s probably the story of our season – getting into winning positions and not being able to hold on. I can’t really put my finger on it, but we are working hard to come up with something. We could’ve gone two or three goals up on another day. It wasn’t to be.”
On whether Crystal Palace bringing on Jean-Philippe Mateta changed the game: “I don’t know if that changed the whole structure of the game. We were still in control, passing the ball around, and creating chances. It’s hard to say what actually happened straight off the back of it. It’s a really disappointing afternoon after a good 85 minutes.”
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On the club’s hopes of European football qualification: “I’m not too sure if it’s over. We want to win every single game and we are ready to fight in every single game, but we slipped up again. So we need to find some solutions to keeping hold of a lead in matches and taking three points.”
Did you know?
Newcastle United have dropped 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – five points more than any other side.
Since his Premier League debut in August 2019, Joelinton has been shown 56 yellow cards in total – the most of any player in that time, overtaking James Tarkowski (55).
