Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United: Nick Pope’s saving grace keeps Eddie Howe in hunt

Newcastle United have morphed from a side that was thrilling in its assault on the top four to one which while still attack minded, is, really, just terribly difficult to beat. This draw set a club record of 15 top-flight matches undefeated. It was also their sixth clean sheet in a row. They had plenty of opportunities to grasp a winner but while their attack was blunt, their defence is so assured that it serves to leave opponents downcast and scratching their heads as to what it will take to wear them down.

They have become almost machine-like in the manner in which they travel the land not caring what welcome they receive. Indeed, if you had erased from the view the crowd and the