Jacob Murphy had a goal and two assists as Newcastle United diced up Crystal Palace 4-0 at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
The Magpies led by three at halftime after Murphy was joined by Anthony Gordon and Sean Longstaff on the scoresheet, with Murphy then cueing up Callum Wilson late for the game’s final goal.
WATCH NEWCASTLE VS CRYSTAL PALACE FULL MATCH REPLAY
Newcastle have four wins and a draw in its their last four outings and sit fifth with 16 points. The Magpies will finish the weekend no worse than sixth depending on the final score of Sunday’s Aston Villa vs West Ham affair.
Palace entered the game just one point behind their weekend hosts, unbeaten in three, but were under pressure from the opening whistle and exit the game in 11th with their 12 points.
Buy-in clear as Newcastle impresses versus previously stingy Palace
Roy Hodgson had overseen one of the Premier League’s stingiest defensive units, allowing just seven goals in eight games, but the Eagles allowed more than half that total at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle’s defensive acumen and Palace’s attacking struggles are almost equally well-known; It’s not a surprise that Eddie Howe’s defense limited the Eagles to a single shot on target even without Sven Botman, especially given Palace’s problems are linked to the long-term absences of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
Hodgson set up to stop the Magpies but the hosts’ speed made that plan look flat-out poor. Jacob Murphy and Kieran Trippier just repeatedly overran the Eagles’ left side, and that mean Tyrick Mitchell had no real chance to do what he does best.
The Joelinton-Bruno Guimaraes-Sean Longstaff midfield was up for the fight with Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, and Cheick Doucoure, and that bodes well for the Magpies should they lose Sandro Tonali for a long period of time.
And it also signals something special because Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, and Tonali were all required for 20 minutes or less before a big midweek Champions League scrap with Borussia Dortmund at St. James’.
What’s next?
Dortmund’s visit to Newcastle comes Wednesday, and the Magpies go to Wolves on Oct. 28.
Palace is back at it Friday when Tottenham comes to Selhurst Park.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace final score: 4-0
Goal: Murphy (6'), Gordon (44'), Longstaff (45+2'), Wilson (66')
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace player ratings
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace player ratings (fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace player ratings (fotmob.com)
Callum Wilson goal: Murphy assists another
Again, too easy.
Nick Pope gathers the ball and starts possession up the right.
There are familiar key figures in the final moment, as Murphy’s cross gives Callum Wilson time and space to finish under Johnstone.
4-0. Goodnight.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace halftime analysis
Crystal Palace’s defensive unit has been so solid this year. Newcastle is cutting through them like a buzzsaw.
Jacob Murphy is having a sensational game with a goal and an assist, and the Magpies are flying over the Eagles to the tune of 64% possession, 8-2 shot attempts, and five shots on target.
The xG says 1.69-0.14 in favor of the hosts and really it might be worse for Roy Hodgson’s men.
Sean Longstaff goal video: Feast continues
Marc Guehi’s been so good for Palace and has even been linked with a Newcastle transfer this season, but neither of those notes meet the video here.
A long pass over the top is bungled by the center back, and Sean Longstaff takes the ball off Guehi and darts into the box to smash past Sam Johnstone. 3-0.
Anthony Gordon goal video: Another pretty, pretty goal
Jacob Murphy with a picture-perfect cross and Anthony Gordon gets it right about 10 minutes after butchering a chance to make it 2-0.
What a ball. Murphy looking like Roberto Carlos on the day!
Jacob Murphy goal video: Chopped cross-shot is aesthetic beaut
VAR has found Kieran Trippier onside after the on-field call was off, and now a pleasing goal gets to stand.
Trippier beats the Palace back line, and Jacob Murphy (probably) tries to chop a cross to the back post.
It doesn’t need a receiver, however, and floats into the side netting for a 1-0 Newcastle lead.
How to watch Newcastle vs Crystal Palace live, stream link, odds, start time
Kickoff: 10am ET Saturday
Odds: Newcastle (-210) vs Crystal Palace (+600) | Draw (+333)
TV Channel/Stream: Watch online via Peacock Premium
Newcastle lineup
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 👊 pic.twitter.com/KZe5Ya7d4v
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 21, 2023
Crystal Palace lineup
Your Palace XI 💪#NEWCRY | @shophumm
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 21, 2023
Focus on Newcastle United, injury news
OUT: Harvey Barnes (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexander Isak (groin), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Joelinton (thigh), Sven Botman (knee), Joe Willock (thigh)
Focus on Crystal Palace, injury news
OUT: Eberechi Eze (thigh), Michael Olise (thigh), Dean Henderson (thigh), Nathan Ferguson (thigh), Naouirou Ahamada (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Odsonne Edouard (hamstring), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Cheick Doucoure (thigh), Joel Ward (adductor), Jairo Riedewald (groin), Matheus Franca (back), Jeffrey Schlupp (hamstring)
