Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was a brilliant chance for James McArthur but Martin Dubravka was quickly out to him.

You take those kind of saves for granted but they are so important.

That's better, much better. Palace put some pressure on by playing a few passes outside the Newcastle box before Patrick van Aanholt's first-time ball releases James McArthur in the left channel.

The Palace midfielder tries to dink it over the onrushing Martin Dubravka but it loops over off the Slovakian keeper.

There's been a bit more energy so far from Newcastle. Miguel Almiron finds Paul Dummett on the overlap and his low cross is blocked for a corner.

The Magpies play it short but it's cleared before they get a chance to stick it in the mixer.

Newcastle get the second half started. Is someone going to break the deadlock at St James' Park?

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

It hasn't been a great game so far.

Crystal Palace started slowly but they have got a little bit better as it's gone on.

Rob Alderman: A few teams making a strong case for a winter break today. Yawn.

And that folks is as good as it's going to get before the break at St James' Park.

That half was as stale as my Mum's mince pies on Boxing Day!

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

It was close. You can see the way Martin Dubravka went across - he was worried.

Luka Milivojevic managed to get it up and over the wall and then down as it whistled past the post. I half expected the net to ripple then.

Palace win a free-kick about 25 yards out and Luka Milivojevic curls it wide. At first glance it looked goalbound but the replay shows it went a good yard wide.

Oh, hang on. Newcastle have just found the head of Andy Carroll with a left-wing cross. It's a bit behind the former England striker though and he can only send it way over.

Best chance yet. Christian Benteke plays in Wilfried Zaha in the right side of the box and his first-time effort is blocked by Martin Dubravka. Was a bit of a wide angle actually but hey, it was a chance nonetheless.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

And Carroll seems to be drifting out to the right, which isn't what Steve Bruce will want.

He's put two big men on so they can link up together - they need to work together.

Paul Dummett hits a poor cross straight to Palace keeper Vincente Guaita before Jonjo Shelvey livens things up with a shot from just inside the visitors' half but it goes two or three yards over. Nice try though. This game needed it.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

We're beginning to see why strikers don't score many goals at Newcastle.

Dwight Gayle hasn't scored, Andy Carroll hasn't scored, I think Joelinton has got one - they just aren't getting any service whatsoever.

Image source, Getty Images

Hate to say this folks but only one ground has seen less Premier League goals than St James' Park this season...yep, you guessed it, Selhurst Park!

Palace earn another free-kick on the left wing, which is met Cheikhou Kouyate, whose tame header floats well over the bar.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Newcastle are playing OK but they don't have enough quality from midfield at the moment - unless Jonjo Shelvey is on the ball.

Jonjo Shelvey dangles a foot round James McCarthy's waist, before pulling out of the challenge without touching him, and somehow the Palace midfielder wins a free-kick. Jordan Ayew's cross is then blocked for the game's first corner but Newcastle clear without too much trouble.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm quite impressed with Newcastle today. They've changed the system and they're looking lively - they've created two half-chances.

My one criticism would be that they aren't getting the ball into the two big centre-forwards early enough.