Newcastle United and Crystal Palace played out a dramatic 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park in a match that left both managers, Eddie Howe and Oliver Glasner, claiming their teams deserved the victory. Newcastle gained the advantage early in the second half thanks to a Marc Guehi own goal, but Daniel Muñoz salvaged a point for the home side with a last-gasp equalizer in the 94th minute. The result brought contrasting emotions for the two sides, with Palace feeling they had squandered an opportunity to secure all three points, while Newcastle lamented their inability to hold onto the lead.
The match itself was a tale of two contrasting styles and strategies. Crystal Palace dominated much of the offensive play, recording an impressive 16 shots, with four of them on target. Newcastle, on the other hand, registered a surprising statistic under Eddie Howe’s management—they failed to produce a single shot on goal, excluding blocked attempts. This lack of attacking output highlighted Newcastle’s pragmatic approach to the game, focusing on defensive organization and capitalizing on set pieces.
Oliver Glasner, in his post-match remarks, voiced his frustration over what he felt was a missed opportunity for Palace to claim victory. “We deserved more today with how the players played and the chances we created,” he said. “When you score in the 94th minute you have to be happy, which we are, but the feeling is that we’ve dropped two points today.”
Glasner’s disappointment stemmed from his team’s inability to convert their dominance into a decisive result. Throughout the game, Palace looked the more proactive side, creating several chances but failing to find the finishing touch until the dying moments. While Muñoz’s equalizer offered a brief moment of relief, it was clear that Glasner believed his side could have—and perhaps should have—won the game.
Eddie Howe, on the other hand, expressed a different perspective, pointing to Newcastle’s disciplined defensive display and tactical execution. “I can see why [Glasner] would say that from his perspective,” Howe acknowledged. “Palace were the team with the most shots in the game. But we did what we needed to do as an away team, we defended well and took the lead.”
Howe elaborated on Newcastle’s approach after taking the lead, emphasizing the importance of adapting their game plan to protect their advantage. “Our aims then change really, even though we’re always looking to score. But I thought we managed that second half really well after we scored. We were camped in their half, we had set play after set play, and they didn’t seem a big threat for us in that moment in the game. It felt like we had dealt with everything they had thrown at us until the last actions.”
The Newcastle manager was adamant that his players had performed admirably and deserved to come away with all three points. “I had no issues with the players’ performance, and from our perspective, we should have won that game,” he said.
Despite Howe’s defense of his team’s performance, there were clear frustrations among Newcastle’s players and fans, particularly given the timing of Palace’s equalizer. The Magpies had executed their game plan effectively for most of the match, limiting Palace’s clear-cut chances and looking comfortable in their defensive setup. However, as is often the case in the Premier League, a single lapse in concentration proved costly.
The draw left both teams reflecting on what might have been. For Palace, it was a case of missed opportunities, with Glasner undoubtedly hoping for greater efficiency in front of goal in future matches. For Newcastle, the result raised questions about their attacking output and whether a more proactive approach could have secured the win.
Ultimately, the game served as a reminder of the fine margins that define football at the highest level. While Palace can take solace in their resilience and late equalizer, Newcastle will rue the missed chance to secure an important away victory. Both sides will now look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next challenges in what is shaping up to be another fiercely competitive Premier League season.