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Go back to last April and Newcastle brought the thrills against Crystal Palace, putting five past Oliver Glasner’s side at St James’ Park, the victory closed by an Alexander Isak special. How things have changed. At Selhurst Park this time round, the visitors succumbed to a third successive defeat, Jean Philippe-Mateta’s penalty in injury time adding to the misery for Eddie Howe’s team.

William Osula’s close-range finish before half-time, against the run of play, had put Newcastle in front if not in control. Howe’s side looked short of confidence even with the lead, still on the mend from those sapping defeats last month by Barcelona and, crucially, Sunderland.

Palace seized upon this, with Glasner introducing Mateta off the bench in the second half. The talismanic Frenchman headed in the equaliser with 10 minutes to play and his second was set up by some silly shenanigans in the area. Sven Botman tugged the shirt of Jefferson Lerma to prompt the spotkick; Mateta slotted into the bottom right corner to end the contest.

More to follow …