Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle

&c

Newcastle fell to another insipid defeat at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon as their season played out in microcosm, scoring first before conceding two late goals to throw away their 25th point from winning positions this season.

And the manner of the defeat was as predictable as it was damaging.

For the umpteenth time this season, our opponents made a simple change that we were seemingly completely blindsided by.

In this case, it was the introduction of Mateta, for the one-time Toon target Strand-Larsen who looked only slightly worse than the alleged striker we eventually landed in Wissa (again remaining on the bench with Woltemade, Osula leading the line).

Leading after an even first half in which Osula did well to finish an awkward bouncing ball whilst on his backside, we came out after half time and looked listless, and when the Eagles' talismanic striker joined the fray you could just just see the writing on the wall.

Mateta's first goal came after Livramento was left with two men and chose to mark neither of them, instead halfheartedly jumping under a floated cross which was then forced across into Mateta's path.

And then in added time, Botman brainlessly grabbed the shirt of Lerma in the box, who dropped to the floor like he'd been decked by Joelinton in full flight.

So, so soft but indefensible by the defender.

Speaking of Joelinton and braindeadedness, he'll miss the next two games after deliberately scything down a Palace man.

Mateta, of course, dispatched the penalty (just past the fingers of Ramsdale, where a taller keeper may have kept it out) and another match went down the pan.

Criticism of Howe intensified after the match, and it's hard to defend yet another afternoon where our game management seemed nonexistent.

Points-wise we may not be mathematically out of the European race (somehow only six points behind Chelsea in sixth), but the fact that we're now sat in 14th between our opponents today and Leeds surely puts paid to any notions of trips abroad next season.