Newcastle extended their unbeaten streak to a club record 15 top-flight games with their third goalless draw against Crystal Palace this season.
The Magpies, who moved up to third, had the better chances with Vicente Guaita denying Joelinton three times and Callum Wilson, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak all failing to score with headers.
The draw meant Newcastle were eight points behind leaders Arsenal, having played two more games than the Gunners, and possibly ending heated talk of a title bid.
Palace are yet to win a game in 2023, despite it being their second point against a top four side in four days, having held Manchester United on Wednesday.
They had to wait 72 minutes for their only shot on target with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s drive skillfully knocked down by Nick Pope. On a mixed night for the Eagles, they lost talismanic striker Wilfried Zaha to an apparent hamstring injury in the second half.
The remarkable race of the magpies continues
When Newcastle lost 2-1 at Liverpool on August 31, even their optimistic fans could hardly have dreamed they would enter February with that as their only league loss.
That point at Palace saw them break their record of 14 top-flight games unbeaten – achieved in 1950 and 2011 (both times over two seasons).
Their streak of clean sheets in the first half lasts even longer. Eddie Howe’s side are now the first team in over 20 years – since Liverpool in 2002 – to go 16 Premier League games without conceding a goal in the first half.
The evidence pointed to it being a goalless draw. It was 0-0 between the sides at St James’ Park in September and November, this time a Carabao Cup draw which the Magpies won on penalties.
They’ve had enough chances to win this one, but it’s now their third goalless draw in four league games.
Joelinton’s three first-half efforts saved by Guaita were all pretty tame. The Spaniard also prevented headers from Wilson and substitute Isak, and Botman powered one of his own.
Miguel Almiron took an early chance to volley into the side netting, and Dan Burn and Botman were also denied by the Palace keeper.
More soon.
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