Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace: Magpies have goal controversially ruled out by VAR

Eddie Howe complained on Friday that rival clubs have it in for Newcastle. After this draw with Crystal Palace, he may think that officials are working against his side too.

Howe’s pre-match gripe was that fellow top-flight teams have inflated transfer fees for the Magpies since their Saudi-led takeover. ‘There is no one ready to do us a favour,’ moaned the Newcastle manager.

Well, referee Michael Salisbury was in no mood to give Howe a hand-out here either as he controversially chalked off Tyrick Mitchell’s second-half own goal to deny the hosts a deserved victory.

The home side were hugely frustrated with the VAR decision and ended up drawing the game

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has a shot saved by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita

Salisbury disallowed the goal after consulting his pitchside monitor, adjudging Newcastle winger Joe Willock to have pushed goalkeeper Vicente Guaita to the ground after Sven Botman had headed a long free-kick across goal.

However, what he failed to spot – or chose to ignore – was that Willock was knocked off balance by a nudge from Mitchell, who the ball then cannoned in off.

The decision, along with some fine saves from Guaita, meant the 11th-placed Magpies had to contend with a fourth draw of the season, with their only victory coming on the opening weekend against Nottingham Forest.

Eddie Howe’s side have drawn four of their last five league matches following this result

Miguel Almiron of Newcastle competes for the ball with Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell

Newcastle defender Sven Botman holds his head in despair following a missed opportunity

But it was the second time in four days that Howe has been incensed by the officials, after Liverpool scored a 98th-minute winner against them on Wednesday night when only five minutes of stoppage time had been awarded.

Newcastle’s club-record £60million signing Alexander Isak scored on his debut at Anfield that night. And he was welcomed for his first match at St James’ Park by supporters waving a giant flag bearing his name and number.

But the Swedish striker was unable to give fans the gift of a goal in return despite having a golden chance to net in the 16th minute.

Isak had a clear run at goal after charging down a careless Joachim Andersen inside his own half. Yet the calmness he demonstrated in the box at Anfield deserted him when he reached Guaita, attempting to dink the ball over the Palace goalkeeper, who stood tall to keep out his disappointing effort.

If anything, though, that miss spurred on Newcastle as they spent the rest of the first half knocking on the visitors’ door.

After Sean Longstaff saw his header from a corner saved by Guaita, Cheick Doucoure cleared off the line as Joelinton attempted to bundle the rebound over, then Botman’s follow-up was blocked over by Marc Guehi.

Next to try his luck was Miguel Almiron, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected on to the post.

Then Isak had another chance to open the scoring before the half was out, but tamely struck straight at Guaita after Almiron found him in space on the edge of the box.

Palace’s only real chance of the first period came through Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose turn and shot was comfortably saved by Nick Pope.

But if they were lucky to go into the interval on level terms, they were even more fortunate six minutes into the second half when they had that goal against them disallowed.

Patrick Vieira immediately complained to the fourth official that Guaita had been taken out by Willock and referee Salisbury agreed after looking at his pitchside monitor following a long VAR check.

Joe Willock is left frustrated after Newcastle missed a chance to score against Palace

Patrick Vieira’s Palace are in 15th place in the league having taken six points from six games

Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace attempts to make an impact during the Premier League clash

However, home fans were furious when the big screen showed a replay of the incident and they spotted what Salisbury had missed.

Still, the hosts pressed forward and Almiron dragged a volley wide after a dinked ball from Longstaff.

But Palace were starting to show a bit of promise of their own and substitute Odsonne Edouard was denied by the knee of Pope after getting his shot away in the box.

Then it was Guaita’s turn again to keep Newcastle a bay, brilliantly stretching out a hand to keep out Willock’s close-range effort after Isak’s throughball.

Willock then shinned another chance wide after a melee in the box and despite some more late scrambles, Palace somehow held on.