Eddie Howe says struggling Newcastle United are 'letting supporters down' after losing run continues at Crystal Palace

Newcastle United plummeted to 14th place in the Premier League standings on Sunday to leave their chances of European qualification looking increasingly slim. Jean-Philippe Mateta struck twice from the bench as The Magpies threw away the lead to lose in what has become a theme of their season. Howe criticised his team for "letting the supporters down" after a third-straight defeat.

Eddie Howe said Newcastle United are ”letting the supporters down” after surrendering a Premier League lead yet again to lose 2-1 away to Crystal Palace.

William Osula put The Magpies in front before the break at Selhurst Park, but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s introduction from the bench proved decisive late on.

The Palace striker headed home the equaliser with 10 minutes to go before converting a stoppage-time penalty to seal a victory that saw the two teams trade positions, with The Eagles climbing to 13th.

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It marked a third defeat on the spin in all competitions for Newcastle, who were thrashed 7-2 by Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg before falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby.

Their slide to 14th place in the table means they are now six points outside the top six with six games remaining, and Howe said that he expects better.

Asked if European qualification was now gone for his side, Howe told Sky Sports: ”I don't know. That's the furthest thing from my thoughts at the moment.

"Delivering for our supporters is definitely number one on our priority list, always. We want to do the travelling supporters justice because they travel across the country to watch us and support us.

"They are very loyal. And we are letting them down at the moment."

Newcastle’s habit of throwing away a lead has plagued their domestic campaign.

They have now dropped 25 points from winning positions in 2025/26, five points more than any other Premier League side – and that fact was not lost on goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

"Probably the story of our season - getting into winning positions and not being able to hold on to it,” Ramsdale said.

"I can't really put my finger on it but we are working hard to come up with something. We could have gone two or three goals up on another day. It wasn't to be."

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Howe was blunt when asked where his team needs to improve in the final weeks of the season.

"All areas. We are not creating chances and conceding too many goals,” he said. ”It's a lot of things across the team and we continue to do that work."

He added: "I thought we were in total control probably with 60 minutes gone, but their substitutes made a difference. Jean-Philippe Mateta, in particular, proved a difficult customer for us to deal with.

"The defeat is harsh on us because we controlled the majority of the first half and phases of the second. It's becoming difficult for us, with how things are going for us, especially when protecting a lead. The goal we conceded at the end is really, really poor from our perspective."

Glasner: Mateta deserves love of fans

Palace boss Oliver Glasner was delighted by the impact made by his bench and particularly match-winner Mateta.

The visit of Newcastle was a potential banana skin for The Eagles, coming between the two legs of their Europa Conference League quarter-final against Fiorentina.

Glasner made several changes to the side that triumphed 3-0 in the first leg on Thursday night, including dropping Mateta to the bench, and was pleased to see his plan pay off before this week’s trip to Florence for the second leg – live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

"I will give the full team credit for the performance. When you play a team like Newcastle, it's not easy to come back,” Glasner told Sky Sports.

Highlights: Palace dominate Fiorentina as Mateta breaks drought

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We had to keep a good balance. The players did so well and we had a great impact from the bench again. It was the plan honestly to rest some players and then bring them on around 60 minutes. Massive win."

Mateta’s brace saw him reach 10 Premier League goals for the season, the third year in a row he has hit double figures for Palace in the league after scoring 16 in 2023/24 and 14 in 2024/25.        

Glasner was hopeful that the France international’s form would help get fans back on his side after he upset the Palace faithful by trying to leave in January, only for a move to AC Milan to fall apart following a medical.

"It is what he deserves. He has done so much for Palace and this group. As we know in life, you sometimes have tough moments. It's about supporting each other and that's what we did with JP,” Glasner said.

"He also worked so hard to get back to fitness. He always said as soon as it was clear he had to stay at the club that it was okay, and he will work hard to help the team win matches and to get to our objectives. That's why he deserves this love from the fans."

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