Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle United: Visitors hold on for second point of season
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Roy Hodgson believes Zaha was 'quiet' after speaking out
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes the fallout from recent comments by Wilfried Zaha might have affected his performance in the goalless draw with Newcastle.
The 25-year-old winger suggested that any rough treatment he receives on the pitch is not dealt with adequately by officials and that his leg would have to be broken for an opponent to receive a red card.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez, external said he was surprised the Football Association did not act on the Ivory Coast player's suggestions.
Zaha, who was influential in helping the Eagles avoid relegation last season and has scored three of their four league goals in this campaign, only managed two efforts on goal against the Magpies.
Hodgson told BBC's Match of the Day: "Wilf was quiet, but I fear that was of his own making to some extent.
"It's not been a good week for him with the discussion and polemic over the interview. I thought that was the quietest I've seen him in a long time. That was disappointing. Wilf in high form just might have been the difference."
Palace had the best chances at Selhurst Park with skipper Luka Milivojevic's first-half free-kick hitting the post, while Mamadou Sakho somehow failed to find the target from a header at the far post with the goal open.
Newcastle, who hung on in the closing minutes, created little. Spanish attacker Ayoze Perez had their best chance when he fired a shot at keeper Wayne Hennessey following a defensive mistake by James Tomkins in the opening half.
The draw means Newcastle move up one place to 18th with two points from six games and the Eagles remain in 11th with seven points.
Palace player hit by bottle
There was also an unsavoury incident during the second half when Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka was struck on the side of the face by a plastic bottle thrown from the crowd.
The culprit has yet to be identified, but Magpies boss Benitez said: "It is not good. We are talking about 3,000 [travelling] fans, who were amazing. One mistake, everyone knows it is - 3,000 fans and one made the mistake."
Zaha kept quiet by Magpies
Wilfried Zaha managed two efforts on goal during the match
Was the cause of Zaha's sub-par display the fallout from his comments or the back problem he appeared to pick up during the warm-up?
The winger had to leave the pitch prematurely, but to the relief of the home fans emerged from the tunnel for kick-off.
After a subdued 90 minutes, Zaha almost provided a late assist for James McArthur who only just failed to turn in a cross-shot. The defender also had the first clear chance of the game when he headed over from four yards.
Milivojevic is one of the best set-piece players in the Premier League at the moment, although on Saturday his deliveries were well read by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka, bar the one which beat the Slovakian and came off the far post.
And then came Sakho's miss. It was not clear whether the ball had gone out before Andros Townsend produced a peach of a delivery for the former Liverpool player who headed wide from a couple of yards out.
The French defender sunk to the ground clutching his face in embarrassment as the home support shared his disbelief.
Newcastle create little but remain disciplined
Benitez happy with Newcastle's defensive display
As for Newcastle, they were watched by owner Mike Ashley for the first time since May 2017.
One point from five games coming into this fixture meant that their ire was once more directed at the man who they believe did not provide enough transfer funds in the summer.
One player brought in, on-loan striker Salomon Rondon, was ineffective again and replaced by Joselu at half-time. The Spaniard has improved markedly in his second season at the club, and produced a brilliant overhead kick which flew straight into the arms of keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Aside from that effort, Perez should have done better with a first-half strike after an error by Tomkins, while Jamaal Lascelles twice missed the target after getting into good positions from corners. The Newcastle skipper was a danger from set-pieces last season.
Man of the match - Martin Dubravka (Newcastle)
Martin Dubravka has so far proved to be Newcastle's best purchase of the summer, having impressed on loan last season. In wet conditions at Selhurst Park, he held on to everything thrown at him by set-piece specialist Luka Milivojevic
Ex-striker has scored more goals than Magpies
Crystal Palace have won just one of their past 11 Premier League games against Newcastle United (W1 D5 L5) - a 5-1 victory at Selhurst Park in November 2015.
Newcastle have failed to win on 17 of their past 20 Premier League games in London (W3 D3 L14).
Crystal Palace have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League home matches for the first time since September 2017.
Newcastle have scored just four Premier League goals this season, one fewer than former striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has netted for Fulham (five).
Following a run of four wins in a row, Newcastle have won just one of their past 11 Premier League matches, drawing two and losing eight.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Hennessey has kept a clean sheet in four of his past seven Premier League appearances, including in the last two.
What's next?
Palace are at West Brom on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup third round (20:00 BST) and are then away at Bournemouth the following Monday in the league (20:00 BST). Newcastle host Leicester in the league next Saturday (15:00 BST).