Newcastle United put on a dominant display at St James’ Park on Saturday, hammering Crystal Palace 5-0 to secure their sixth consecutive win across all competitions. The victory lifted The Magpies into third place in the Premier League, further cementing their bid for a top-four finish and a coveted Champions League spot.
Newcastle’s Flying Start
From the very first whistle, Newcastle showed their intent, dominating possession and creating several early chances. Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s top scorer, came close to opening the scoring with a powerful header that narrowly missed the crossbar. It was clear that Eddie Howe’s side was eager to make an early statement in front of their home fans.
Newcastle’s pressure finally paid off in the 14th minute. Jacob Murphy, in red-hot form, picked up a pass and fired the ball into the roof of the net from a near-impossible angle. The goal marked his third in as many games and gave Newcastle the lead they thoroughly deserved. It was a display of clinical finishing from Murphy, who has been an invaluable asset for Newcastle in recent weeks.
Jacob Murphy – what a strike! pic.twitter.com/uEa0q4qFtU
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 16, 2025
A Golden Opportunity for Palace
Despite struggling to find any rhythm in the match, Crystal Palace were handed a lifeline just moments later. Nick Pope, the Newcastle goalkeeper, collided with Chris Richards inside the penalty area, leading to a penalty being awarded after a lengthy VAR review. Palace’s top scorer, Eberechi Eze, stepped up to take the spot-kick, hoping to get his team back into the game.
However, Nick Pope was equal to the task, diving to his right to make a comfortable save and deny Eze. The penalty miss proved costly for Palace, who were already under pressure after conceding early.
Disaster Strikes for Palace
Just as things were starting to look up for Palace, disaster struck once again. Marc Guehi, in a repeat of the reverse fixture earlier in the season, scored an unfortunate own goal. He inadvertently diverted a cross from Harvey Barnes into his own net, giving Newcastle a 2-0 lead. The situation worsened for the visitors just minutes later.
In the 37th minute, Harvey Barnes, who has been in exceptional form, added a third goal to his tally for the season. His clinical finish into the bottom corner put Newcastle firmly in control. But the first-half misery for Palace didn’t end there. On the brink of halftime, Fabian Schär scored a glancing header from Murphy’s free-kick, making it 4-0 to the hosts.
A Second-Half Onslaught
With a commanding 4-0 lead, Newcastle showed no signs of slowing down after the break. Palace, whose defense had been stretched throughout, couldn’t cope with the high intensity from the home side. In the 58th minute, Alexander Isak capped off an exceptional team performance by curling a beautiful shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. His goal, Newcastle’s fifth of the night, effectively ended the match as a contest.
GOAL | Newcastle 5-0 Crystal Palace | Alexander Isak
ALEXANDER ISAK MAKES IT FIVE FOR NEWCASTLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/ilT4dd8mna
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) April 16, 2025
Palace had no answers to Newcastle’s attacking prowess, and they struggled to create any significant chances in the second half. The Magpies were now in cruise control, with the game all but secured. The scoreline could have been even worse for the visitors, but Newcastle’s clinical play began to slow down as they rested some of their key players ahead of their upcoming clash with Aston Villa.
An Impressive Performance for Newcastle
For Newcastle, this was a performance that sent a strong message to their rivals in the Premier League. With Eddie Howe still absent from the touchline due to illness, his assistant manager took charge, and the team delivered a clinical display. The win saw Newcastle move up to third in the Premier League, opening up a five-point gap inside the top five. The Magpies are firmly in the race for European football next season and will be looking to continue their impressive form as the season enters its final stretch.
Palace’s Struggles Continue
For Crystal Palace, the defeat was yet another setback in their difficult season. The loss was their sixth in a row away from home in all competitions, and they have now conceded five goals in two consecutive games. Manager Oliver Glasner will need to address his team’s defensive frailties, as Palace’s struggles show no sign of improving.
Palace’s inability to capitalize on a penalty opportunity and their poor defending against one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attacking sides left them with little hope of making a comeback. The result leaves Palace with much to ponder as they look to get back to winning ways in their next outing.
Key Stats from Newcastle’s 5-0 Victory:
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Jacob Murphy scored his third goal in three matches.
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Harvey Barnes scored for the third consecutive game.
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Nick Pope saved a penalty from Eberechi Eze to maintain the lead.
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Alexander Isak added to his tally with a stunning finish.
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Marc Guehi scored an own goal for Palace, while Fabian Schär made it 4-0 with a header.
The Road Ahead for Newcastle
The win solidifies Newcastle’s place among the Premier League’s top contenders for European football. Their thrilling performance at home against Crystal Palace was a reminder of their attacking capabilities, and they will now focus on securing points in their remaining matches to maintain their position in the top four. Their upcoming match against Aston Villa will be another crucial test as they aim to continue their fine form and push for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
With their eyes firmly set on European football, Newcastle will be hoping to build on their momentum and finish the season strong. As for Crystal Palace, they will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle in the final weeks of the campaign.
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