Newcastle Set Unwanted Four-Year Record in Lackluster Performance Against Crystal Palace
Newcastle United's Goal-Scoring Struggles Raise Growing Concerns
Newcastle United’s Struggles in Front of Goal: A Growing Concern
In 13 Premier League matches this season, Newcastle United have managed to score just 14 goals—a tally bettered by all but four top-flight sides.
This sharp decline in offensive output has raised concerns, especially considering their attacking prowess last season.
A Stagnant Attack After the Break
Just as Newcastle seemed to be regaining momentum, the November international break disrupted their rhythm.
Since then, they’ve struggled to rediscover their attacking edge, with the recent 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace highlighting their issues.
Despite the result, Newcastle’s performance against Palace was lackluster.
They failed to register a single shot on target over 90 minutes, a worrying statistic against a team that started the day in the relegation zone.
While Eddie Howe pointed out that the Magpies were close to securing three points, the lack of offensive threat is becoming a significant concern.
Breaking Records for the Wrong Reasons
The draw against Palace highlighted Newcastle’s attacking woes.
According to The Athletic, their performance broke a four-year Premier League record.
Newcastle became the first team since Watford in 2020 to score in a match without having a single shot on target.
Their expected goals (xG) tally was a mere 0.04, one of the lowest on record.
Had they secured the win, it would have been the most “statistically undeserved” victory in Premier League history, surpassing Watford’s 2016 win with 0.12 xG.
Why Are Goals Drying Up?
This season, Newcastle’s attacking players—who netted 85 goals in 38 games last year—have struggled to replicate that form.
Anthony Gordon’s body language has been criticized, Alexander Isak suffered another injury setback, and alternative sources of goals seem limited.
Howe’s Concerning Comments
Eddie Howe’s response to the situation has left fans uneasy. When asked about the goal drought, he admitted:
“It’s a difficult one to answer, because we haven’t changed anything… We’re just going through a phase where we’re struggling, but I think we’ll come out of it.”
Howe’s insistence on sticking to the same approach, despite clear issues, raises questions about how the team will navigate this slump.
Tough Test Ahead
Newcastle’s next challenge comes on Wednesday against Liverpool.
If their current approach doesn’t yield results, the Magpies may face another difficult evening against one of the league’s most potent sides.
