Eddie Howe's Newcastle returned from a three‑week hiatus to face a refreshed Crystal Palace side that had just played in Europe. The Magpies, deprived of several internationals, struggled to find rhythm, a point Ben Foster warned could produce “weird and wonderful” results after such a long gap. After the 2‑1 defeat, Howe insisted he alone bears responsibility. They fell three points off the top six.

In response, Howe overhauled the starting eleven, dropping veterans Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier for a youthful lineup. Only four outfield players were over 25, and just one of his five summer signings, defender Malick Thiaw, made the cut. Forward William Osula earned a rare league start, edging out the £124m pair Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

The winless spell has left Newcastle with the league’s poorest record of points lost from winning positions, a deficit that threatens any European ambition. Recovering even half of the 25 points squandered would propel them into a joint‑fourth slot, but the pattern of conceding control suggests more than a tactical tweak is required to stop the slide. Fans expect accountability to translate into results.