Saturday's performance went from the ridiculous to the sublime, as Mark Gardiner tells us in his match report.
I am not old enough to remember when Newcastle were a “Big Club” (I am, after all, only in my fifties) but I did wonder why they ditched their traditional black-&-white for all-white today. The answer wasn’t long in coming as the Toon rabble surrendered despite Palace giving away a handicap of a goal start. Palace initially looked like refusing the proverbial gift-horse before we found Newcastle so supine the only question left is: when did we last score 5 at home in the top flight? United over 40 years back? Shame that Wickham or Puncheon couldn’t break their ducks or that Chamakh wasn’t given the chance to, but that was about the only slight negative about today. One major difference from Monday night’s underwhelming display was the quality of the final ball or cross, which also helped Wickham put on a better performance. It was founded upon the dominance McArthur & Cabaye enforced in midfield, which in turn helped the two wingers.
Pardew chose to retain the same starting XI that had so disappointed on Monday. Despite the evidence of Sunderland’s tactical victory McClaren chose a flat 4-4-2 with no obvious holding midfield player and a defence that lacked any real pace. As soon as the match kicked off it was plain that Newcastle wee a shambles at the back and Palace pressed them hard, with an early tactical switch that saw Bolasie pushed through the middle and Puncheon switch to the left wing. Despite no clear chance being made it seemed only a matter of time until a goal came, and it only took 9 minutes. The weird fact was that Newcastle scored it. Zaha lost the ball on the halfway line, when play was switched to our left Puncheon put in a tackle as weak as my tea, and Cisse looked to have the freedom of the box with a header that looked like it went in off the post.
Remembering Monday our hearts sunk and the Toon nearly grabbed a second, but it didn’t take long for parity to be restored, although with a slice of luck as the deflection off McArthur’s shot saw Elliot diving the wrong way. The build up was decent with Wickham shielding the ball before laying it off to Jimmy, and the tall forward was to have a pretty good match. McArthur had another shot minutes later but ballooned his effort. Yet the sense of impending doom for the Toon wasn’t to be denied as Palace won the ball in midfield, Wilf was set free, and although his cross was somehow missed by Puncheon, Bolasie smashed the ball home at the far post. After that Palace piled on the pressure, Wilf having two shots blocked before he was booked for diving by referee Attwell. That decision looked justified but minutes later Wilf had his legs taken from under him only for Attwell to refuse a free kick. Wilf was irked (& at half-time had to be escorted off the pitch by Delaney) but another quick Palace attack and good hold-up play by Wickham saw Zaha strike a volley that hit the ground & Barnes Wallis-like bounced over Elliot into the top corner.
Newcastle needed a Pulis or Allardyce; their prospect of a likely comeback was snuffed out within two minutes of the second half after Zaha won a free kick. Cabaye’s delivery was excellent (so unlike Monday!), Delaney soared above the defence to knock the ball down, and Bolasie bundled the ball home. With the game effectively won & lost Palace players lined up to score next, Puncheon in particular having a fine effort just over, while a strong run & shot by Ward was only denied by the keeper’s top-over.
When the substitutions started on the hour the game seemed to drift. Jedinak came on for Zaha, which saw Cabaye pushed little further forward, until he was in turn replaced by Lee. In the gloom the ball spent most of its time up the other end of the pitch where Elliot was kept busy while Palace knocked the ball around and broke away almost at will. At the end Bamford came on for Wickham while Bolasie was looking for his hat-trick. The latter had one fine run in stoppage time, and after his cross wasn’t cleared, McArthur (nursing a dead leg) knocked home the fifth.
Palace played well but the opposition was powder-puff. At the end those away fans who had stayed behind gave the whole team dogs’ abuse; only Elliot had the guts to move within 50 yards of them, which sums up the attitude of those wearing the white shirt. Compare & contrast with the spirit, commitment & tactical cohesion shown by their near neighbours. Some of our pass & move play was high quality, with McArthur possibly overshadowing Cabaye, who looked to be trying too hard, while Ward & Souaré given license to push forward. There was the odd moment where the defence looked a little uncertain but usually Delaney was there with head or boot to clear the danger; there was one early header over from Cisse then a shot deflected past the post after a perfect knockdown by Ward!
Hennessey – 6 – Had very little to do after picking the ball out of the net. Made some decent catches from corners but I can’t recall another save. One moment of hesitation in second half when he should have come for a long ball – perhaps scarred by Monday’s indecision!
Ward – 7 – Strong game on the right. In defence didn’t have much to do, although his awful clearing header set up a chance for de Jong. On the attack showed up in advance positions to support the forwards, and had a long-range shot tipped over.
Souaré – 8 – Could not ask for more perfect opposition to highlight the attacking aspects of his play as Pape ranged down the left at will, delivering some dangerous crosses. Handled any attacks down his flank relatively well.
Dann – 7 – Not sure who exactly should have been picking up Cisse for their goal – suspect it was Scott as he seemed to be Cisse’s marker most of the day. Quieter afternoon given the paucity of Newcastle’s attack.
Delaney – 8 – Solid at the back, Damien seemed to collect the ball every time Newcastle attacked in the second half. Sometimes just putting the ball out of play is the best option. Towering header set up Bolasie’s second.
McArthur – 8 – Hard working display lit up by some fine passing and contributing two goals, although aided by an evil deflection and some awful defending – but you have to be in the right place at the right time. Did play some inaccurate passing but was often the heartbeat of the team.
Cabaye – 7 – Thought he tried too hard to impress or avenge himself on his old fans; early tackle was worthy of a yellow card and he did fly into some challenges. His set piece delivery was sharper than against Sunderland.
Puncheon – 6 – As usual some nice touches but too often his first act on receiving the ball was to turn back, disrupting the flow. Improved second half when he moved off the wing into a more central role and was unlucky with a shot that dipped just too late.
Zaha – 7 – One goal (if a little lucky with the bounce) and one assist, but I thought he could have burned his full back (Janmaat?) with pace, instead of slowing the play down and trying to outfox him. On the downside was caught in possession in build-up to their goal, and was booked for what looked like a premeditated decision to go down after ensuring slight contact; the referee probably got that right (no replay seen yet!) but might have influenced the decision when Wilf’s legs were taken away minutes later.
Bolasie – 8 – Switched down the middle and tore Newcastle apart, their defence being slow & flat (& a suicidal formation...); his finish for his first goal was very similar to that at Anfield. When moved wide in the second half he was again a major threat, his good run and cross from the left setting up the fifth. Good anticipation earned him his second goal.
Wickham – 7 – Finally received good service and returned a display similar to that he’d given at Stamford Bridge. Had a role in the first three goals, also won plenty of balls in the air. All that was missing was a goal, and he tried hard for that without luck.
Jedinak – 6 – Unusual choice of sub to replace Zaha but allowed Cabaye to move further up the pitch with a sound holding midfield display.
Chung-yong Lee – 6 – Late sub for Cabaye, showed some nice touches and forced a save out of Elliot.
Bamford – n/a – Even later sub for Wickham.