Newcastle United players and staff ended up being booed off after throwing their lead away in a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
William Osula had put Newcastle just before half time, but then Jean-Philippe Mateta came off the bench and levelled in 80th minute with header from Tyrick Mitchell’s cross, before grabbing a winner from his spot kick after Sven Botman had pulled Jefferson Lerma.
The result sees the Magpies fall to 14th place in the Premier League, while Crystal Palace climb above them to 13th.
The Athletic report that it is ‘business as usual’ with Howe still being backed by the board. There are plans to review the situation in the summer, as part of a standard procedure, additionally, no serious conversations have yet been made about a change of head coach.
The club owners PIF continue to monitor the situation, but CEO David Hopkinson is ‘taking well-informed decisions from well-informed decisions’.
The Athletic add they they have been informed that ‘Hopkinson’s intent when speaking to reporters at a briefing called to discuss Newcastle’s latest financial results was to avoid the kind of public vote of confidence which often pre-empts a manager leaving.’
Looks like he knows himself he’s basically gone now… #NUFC pic.twitter.com/jKpxU55ZXQ
— JoelTallentire (@TallentireJoel) April 12, 2026
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports, as reported in BBC Sport’s live blog: “I thought we were in total control probably 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. 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, really poor from our perspective.”
On whether the team needed more experience on the pitch: “The players we had on the pitch were young, but I think there were a lot of experienced internationals on the pitch too. We just didn’t deal with a couple of situations well enough.”
Newcastle United fans at Crystal Palace today #nufc #cpfc
Credit: Tyrick pic.twitter.com/36F7KDGcer
— Football Away Days (@footyawayday) April 12, 2026
Howe speaking to Sky Sports, when asked 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 travelling supporters justice because they travel across the country to watch us and support us. They are very loyal. And we are letting them down at the moment.”
On support from the club: “I have no complaints about anything internal at all at the football club. I have got complaints on the results and that’s my job.”
On Joelinton getting a two-match ban after 10th yellow card of the season: “Disappointing especially with the deadline today – it being the last game before it reset. He is always playing on the edge and a fierce competitor. We just have to readjust and reshuffle.”
On improvements needed: “All areas. We are not creating chances and conceding too many goals. It’s a lot of things across the team and we continue to do that work.”
Eddie Howe on this afternoon’s game at Selhurst Park 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/9QsbwGG8HT
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 12, 2026
Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to Sky Sports: “Probably the story of our season – getting into winning positions and not being able to hold onto it. 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 has actually happened straight off the back of it.
“It’s a really disappointing afternoon after a good 85 minutes of the match.”
On hopes of qualifying for Europe: “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. We slipped up again today. So we need to find some solution to keep hold of the lead when in matches and to take the three points.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner: “It’s a deserved win because we made a lot of pressure and kept believing. It was a very tight game decided by fine margins. To get the turnaround and get the win is a lot of credit to the players. We had great impact from the bench again which is good.
“It was the plan. It’s not easy when you play every three days. Your energy levels are sometimes a bit low. It helped us give some players some rest. Others also did really well and worked hard. It is a boost for the players and boost for Selhurst Park.
“It’s not always easy to create momentum. And then you have to keep it and not throw it away. We are on track. We are looking forward to the last six and a half weeks.”
On Jean-Philippe Mateta: “It’s always the ones who score who are in the spotlight. But it’s the same for Ismaila Sarr as well. When I see how we played when we scored the equaliser, it came from the back. In the end, it’s a team effort. JP is just calm and took the penalty really well.”
Glasner speaking to Sky Sports: “I will give the full team the credit for the performance. When you play a team like Newcastle, it’s not easy to come back. We had to keep a good balance. The players did so well and we had a great impact from the bench again. It was the plan honestly to rest some players and then bring them on around 60 minutes. Massive win.”
On Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring and getting the support of the fans: “It is what he deserves. He has done so much for Palace and this group. As we know in life, you sometimes have tough moments. It’s about supporting each other and that’s what we did with JP.
“He also worked so hard to get back to fitness. He always said as soon as it was clear he had to stay at the club that it was OK and he will work hard to help team win matches and to get to our objectives. That’s why he deserves this love from the fans.”
On Tyrick Mitchell who made his 200th Premier League appearance for Palace: “It’s his progress. He was one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Mr Reliable is exactly who he is. He has also improved his attacking game now. It was a fantastic assist from him today. This is where he has improved massively and hopefully he can jump on the train to the World Cup.”
On the run-in: “We have seven games to play. We are on 42 points. Eleven points left to break our Premier League points record. That’s the goal. Our performances have improved massively in the last weeks. Now, playing in two competitions at our top level is what we want to do.”
Here’s how fans on social media reacted as Newcastle players and staff were booed off after throwing their lead away in defeat to Crystal Palace…
Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele): “Eddie Howe remains the best manager for Newcastle United and deserves the chance to rebuild the squad in the summer with a proper support structure in place. If he leaves in the summer, I believe the club will regret it. Probably swiftly and for a long time. This is my opinion. I have covered the club for 25 years. I watch them pretty much every week and nothing that happens between now and the end of May will change my mind. It’s fine to disagree. I’ve seen a few comments about where I’m from recently and the fact I’m not a fan. Like that prevents me from having an opinion on a club it is my job to cover and has been for more than two decades. This is my professional opinion as a football journalist. Lots of you will disagree with it. But I also know many of you agree with me because I speak to people all the time and don’t spend my entire day on here. Opinions vary, that’s absolutely fine #nufc
@NUFCLC: Uncharacteristic of us to throw the game away? What! We do it every week 😂😂😂😂😂
@CtrlAltIain: Why anyone expected any different is beyond me. Some how there was even less bottle and drive than when we got spanked by Sunderland. Pointless asking for change though because owners couldn’t give a shit so Eddie will continue as long as he wants
@Regista10_: It’s done. Over. Thank you Eddie for the trophy. Thank you Eddie for the UCL trips. Been brilliant mate. But it’s time to move on. 👍🏻
@agbnufc_: You’ve been a disgrace this season, launched more Adidas kits than wins.
@NUFC_Fanatic: This is a standout interview for me. He doesn’t know why we’ve dropped 25 points from winning positions. That’s obvious as he can’t seem to stop it happening but the fact he acknowledges he still doesn’t know why proves he’s finished
@NUFCMurph: Make them all walk home, fucking useless bastards
@NUFC_JEB: It’s not uncharacteristic as it happens every fucking week. Where’s your fucking accountability man
@bennufc_18: Did he actually just say it’s uncharacteristic hahaha
@AlexBirdNUFC:
Bunch of fucking frauds.
3 weeks to prepare
No midweek game (unlike Palace)
And THATS what the fans get ?
Not one player deserves to be playing European football next season.
Same ol 2nd half capitulation
@_MatthewMcGahey: Horrific the shift Murphy and Gordon put in. Osula isn’t the most talented but he runs about like he gives a damn and that means something. This is the back 4 and keeper that needs to start the rest of the season. Thiaw having to tell Murphy to talk to the ref. Embarrasing.
@NUFCPeter: Rinse and repeat of the Sunderland game – how Murphy got 90 mins is beyond a joke
@S0uthernGe0rdie:
– 3 weeks off to deliver nothing new
– £240m of transfers on the bench
– Jacob Murphy captain & playing the whole game
– same 2nd half displays
– same leaving changes too late
– lost the dressing room
Not a single argument could now change my mind.
#NUFC
You must be logged in to post a comment Login