POPE SAVES SEND TIMELY MESSAGE TO SOUTHGATE

WHAT better time to announce yourself as a penalty specialist than on the eve of a World Cup. Nick Pope was Newcastle’s hero with three shootout saves, and that may just have planted a seed in Gareth Southgate’s mind. When the giant screen revealed Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea were heading out as the teams prepared for penalties, the stakes were raised. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle held their nerve and they must now fancy their chances of going all the way. His team will still be in the cup competitions and the Premier League’s top four entering December. Even the method of victory was something of a novelty, just a third shootout win from 12 attempts for the club and the first at St James’ Park. Eight outfield changes were always going to have the effect on Newcastle of diesel in a petrol engine, so it was little surprise that they chugged along here. The home crowd needed a lift and introducing three World Cup-bound stars in Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman duly raised Newcastle’s tempo. But still no breakthrough. Guimaraes had the chance to win the shootout, only to fire over. Pope, though, saved the decisive kick from Malcolm Ebiowei. ‘He’s a great size,’ said Howe. ‘His saves were right out of the top drawer.’

NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): POPE 8; Manquillo 6 (Trippier 66min, 6), Lascelles 6, Burn 6 (Botman 66, 6), Targett 6; Longstaff 6 (Guimaraes 66, 6), Shelvey 6.5 (Willock 86), Joelinton 7; Anderson 6 (Almiron 78), Wood 6, Saint-Maximin 6. Booked: Anderson. Manager: Eddie Howe 6.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Johnstone 6.5; Clyne 6, Ward 6, Tomkins 6, Guehi 6; Olise 6.5 (Ebiowei 78), Milivojevic 6.5, Hughes 7, Mitchell 6; Mateta 6.5, Ayew 5 (Riedewald 78). Booked: Milivojevic, Hughes.

Manager: Patrick Vieira 6.

Referee: Graham Scott 7.

Attendance: 51,660.