Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has backed Newcastle United for a title challenge.
What’s the latest Newcastle United news?
Just as they did against Manchester United on Wednesday, Palace frustrated a Champions League-chasing Newcastle in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.
While Eddie Howe’s side dominated much of the game, they found clear-cut chances hard to come by and failed to find a breakthrough, something that is starting to become a problem.
Newcastle, of course, dominated the possession and had far more shots on target but Palace stood firm, while Nick Pope was called into a stunning save to deny the home side an opening goal.
Clearly, taking only a point is a disappointing outcome, albeit hardly a disastrous one. With Manchester United playing Premier League leaders Arsenal and Pep Guardiola criticising his Manchester City players, it felt like a win at Selhurst Park – admittedly a difficult place to go – would have been a major statement.
Still, Vieira has backed Newcastle to challenge for the top prize in English football.
What did Vieira say about Newcastle?
Speaking after the draw, the Palace boss said (via BBC Sport): “I strongly believe that with the way they are performing there’s no reason why they can’t believe in themselves to be part of those teams who have a chance [of winning the title].
“This is a team who play with a lot of intensity. This is a team who physically are really strong, so it will be important for us to match that kind of level of competitiveness.
“We played there twice, and it was really challenging of course, but we managed not to concede goals and we managed to play as well some good football at times.”
Can Newcastle win the Premier League?
It would seem hugely unlikely.
Though Arsenal and Newcastle are the only two teams to have lost just once this season, the key difference is Arsenal’s winning record. Indeed, they have claimed three points on five occasions more than Howe’s side, scoring nine more goals this season despite having marginally more shots on target per game (5.1 to 5.7 via WhoScored).
That’s not to criticise Newcastle’s season, it’s just that Arsenal clearly have more cutting edge and little about what they’ve done this season suggests there is reason to believe they will blow their lead.
It is the top four Newcastle have eyes on. Realistic ambitions to the win the title will have to wait for now.
