Newcastle vs Crystal Palace: Guaita, Pope star but VAR the lead story

Newcastle United had the lone goal of the game controversially taken off the game by VAR as Crystal Palace took a point out of St. James’ Park in a goalkeeper-driven scoreless draw on Saturday.

Tyrick Mitchell conceded an own goal but ironically saw his name taken of the sheet for a Joe Willock foul on Palace keeper Vicente Guaita… after Mitchell guided the Newcastle man into his GK.

WATCH NEWCASTLE vs CRYSTAL PALACE FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM

Video Assistant Referee saw a clear and obvious error and Guaita joined an almost-as-impressive Nick Pope in making sure no one else put a ball over the line.

Newcastle will finish the weekend in 11th with four draws and seven points, while Palace is one point and four places below them.

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What we learned from Newcastle vs Crystal Palace

Newcastle punished for failure to land first-half goal: Palace had a first-half moment but Newcastle had a lot of them. Would scoring one have broken the dam? Maybe! Alexander Isak’s 30-yard breakaway saw a chipped effort saved by an outstanding Guaita, who was Man of the Match. Joelinton snapped a Kieran Trippier free kick off outside of goal from tight angle, and later Guaita and two defender blocks led to a corner than Almiron piped off the post. Palace wanted halftime, badly.

VAR leaves many questioning views, what’s clear and obvious: Guaita was rocked by Joe Willock on what looked destined to be a Tyrick Mitchell own goal specifically because Mitchell shoved the onrushing Magpie into the keeper. There was a question whether the referee saw only the angle broadcast caught him reviewing or if he saw other views which showed a pretty clear push. Was it hard enough? Sure seemed so, and Newcastle was denied a go-ahead goal.

Tactical Focus

There are tactics and then are just two goalkeepers making a number of terrific saves. Guaita’s great day was that of Man of the Match quality, but Nick Pope might’ve been Man of the Second Half (TM).

[ VIDEO: Premier League analysis ]

Stars of the show

Nick Pope

Alexander Isak

Vicente Guaita

Joelinton

What’s next?

Newcastle’s off to West Ham United for a 9am ET Sept. 11 kickoff while Crystal Palace will host Manchester United at 11:30am ET that day.

How to watch Newcastle vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 10am ET Saturday
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium

Key storylines

Both Palace and Newcastle have shown stubborn defenses and electrifying attacks, and have the pieces to be the dark horses of the 2022-23 Premier League season. But they’ll both have to prove themselves superior in six-point matches against each other. It’s early, but this one’s sneaky big for both the London and Tyneside clubs.

In-form players to keep an eye on

Wilfried Zaha scored a sensational goal in the draw with Brentford but it was Michael Olise who caught the eye in attack and Joachim Andersen and Cheick Doucoure who’ve been holding down opponents’ attacks.

For Newcastle, will they have Bruno Guimares and Allan Saint-Maximin? If not, the Magpies will keep looking to Miguel Almiron and Joe Willock to buzz around and help set the stage for record signing Alexander Isak.

Newcastle team news, injuries, lineup options

OUT: Jonjo Shelvey (thigh), Callum Wilson (thigh), Emil Krafth (knee), Allan Saint-Maximin (thigh), Bruno Guimares (thigh).

Crystal Palace team news, injuries, lineup options

OUT: Nathan Ferguson (ankle), Jack Butland (hand), James McArthur (groin), James Tomkins (calf)

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace: Guaita, Pope star but VAR the lead story originally appeared on NBCSports.com