We go into Saturday's fixture against Crystal Palace in the knowledge that if we play as well as we have been against the big teams, we will give ourselves a decent chance to kick start our season from this point. One helpful statistic is that the Eagles have only won one in the last fifteen against us, a run that dates back to January 1999.
Because of the difficult start we have been dealt with thus far in the season, even when the fixtures were released back in June, the focus of this fixture has been black and white and labelled as a potential first win as we approach an ending to this difficult start of fixtures against the top six. The sake of confidence, this first win is needed as soon as possible so that the individuals in the squad can realise and prove that they are capable of winning matches at this level.
Facts and Figures
All Competitions
Newcastle wins: 25
Crystal Palace wins: 9
Draws: 7
Top Flight
Newcastle wins: 11
Crystal Palace wins: 6
Draws: 5
Top Flight at Crystal Palace
Newcastle wins: 5
Crystal Palace wins: 4
Draws: 2
Previous ten (all competitions)
Newcastle wins: 6 (17 goals)
Draws: 3
Crystal Palace wins: 1 (12 goals)
Biggest win: Crystal Palace 0 - 3 Newcastle United (21/12/2013)
Biggest defeat: Crystal Palace 5 - 1 Newcastle United (28/11/2015)
Biggest aggregate win: Newcastle United 4 - 0 Crystal Palace (3-0 and 1-0) (2013/14 season)
Biggest aggregate defeat: Newcastle United 2-5 Crystal Palace (1-5 and 1-0) (2015/16 season)
Memory Lane
Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Newcastle United - 22/08/2009 (Championship)
Steve Harper: Made an excellent save to deny former Newcastle teammate, Darren Ambrose in the first half, diving low to his right. Ambrose scored a few marvellous goals in a Newcastle shirt but struggled to nail a regular spot in the side but things worked out well in the end for the Harlow-born midfielder who established himself as a key player at London clubs, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace who were both ever-present in the Championship throughout his time at those clubs.
Danny Simpson:
Fabricio Coloccini: This match came in the week when then Argentine boss, Diego Maradona announced playing in the Championship would not harm the chances of Coloccini and teammate, Gutierrez's chances of being selected to play for their country.
Steven Taylor:
Jose Enrique:
Ryan Taylor: Doubled the lead with his first Newcastle goal after 21 minutes. After receiving the ball from Gutierrez, he found himself with a sight of goal which proved to be a good opportunity for the set piece specialist. With a touch to control the ball out of his feet, he delicately hit the ball high with his weaker left foot just underneath the crossbar and the floated into the back of the net.
Kevin Nolan: Scored his first Newcastle goal to break the deadlock after two minutes. It was a well taken finish from Nolan who showed great initiative to get into the right area and beat defensive line that the Palace defenders (including Jose Fonte) set. It got the Magpies off to the start they wanted and gave them the ability to relax after Ryan Taylor scored the second goal later in the first half.
Danny Guthrie:
Alan Smith:
Jonas Gutierrez: Assisted Nolan's goal by cutting inside on his right foot, as he so often effectively did that season, and perfectly picked out Nolan at the far post who only had the keeper Flahavan to beat from close range. Jonas also picked up the assist for Ryan Taylor's goal to make it 2-0, the Argentine played it square to Ryan Taylor who was about twenty yards from goal.
Shola Ameobi: