Newcastle returned to Premier League action almost three weeks after their last game, but rather than exorcising the ghost of that derby defeat, slumped to a loss that followed a painfully familiar pattern.

Making only his second league start, Will Osula gave United a lead they just about deserved near the end of an anodyne first half during which neither side showed any appreciable appetite for the fight.

Palace at least had the excuse of a European game three days earlier and some consequent squad rotation, but the green-clad Magpies looked anything but a side who had benefited from an extended period in which to regroup.  

Aside from one opportunity by Osula to double their lead, Eddie Howe's side never looked in control once the Eagles made a triple substitution and proved unable to shake off their season-long habit of throwing away leads, allowing Crystal Palace to score twice late on.

That all-too familiar capitulation followed the introduction of Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose physical presence was akin to that of mackem forward Brian Brobbey - and who managed to similarly unsettle Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman, the latter clad in a protective mask following facial surgery.

The warning signs were clear when Thiaw conceded a free-kick that Jefferson Lerma headed off the crossbar, before an 80th minute leveller that began with Jacob Murphy's ill-advised pass and ended when Mateta headed home despite the best efforts of Aaron Ramsdale and Botman.

Mateta had replaced the anonymous Jorgen Strand Larsen - close to a move to Tyneside last year as attempts to replace Alexander Isak - but the only Newcastle substitution while they led saw Harvey Barnes swapped for the out-of-sorts Anthony Gordon, restored to a left wing berth.

Jacob Ramsey and Nick Woltemade came off the bench at 1-1 but any notions of regaining the lead disappeared in time added on when Botman grabbed the sleeve of Lerma's shirt as a long throw from Chris Richards reached the box and referee Andy Madley immediately pointed to the spot.

Ramsdale came close to saving the penalty that followed, having made a fine double stop in an otherwise turgid first half before Osula's 43rd minute goal followed a great move down the right.

The returning Lewis Miley sent over the telling cross and Osula did well to adjust after a touch from a defender, to turn the ball past Dean Henderson from close range.

Miley was one of six changes to the side that started the derby defeat; Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Murphy, Osula and Thiaw replacing messrs Trippier, Ramsey, Elanga, Woltemade and Burn.

The names may have changed, but the flaws were evident - and exploited once again. Murphy wore the armband but was anything but inspirational, losing the ball on countless occasions. Livramento phoned in another display and was seen arguing with coaching staff on the touchline, while Tonali's contribution apart from the goal was lack-lustre. A cynic would say that their bags are packed.

As damaging as the Tyne-wear loss on home ground was for Howe, this defeat on the road felt more significant - a lack of organisation and fight reflecting badly on the management after the reset that the international break had apparently offered. Whatever the message was, it fell on deaf ears.

Lukewarm post-match applause from the emptying away end - with as many boos as claps - summed up the trust in the player and their manager that is steadily ebbing away.

Also bizarrely symbolic was substitute Yoane Wissa's ill-judged decision to swap shirts with Mateta, leaving the winning goalscorer to milk the home applause clad in a Newcastle no.9 the wrong way round. The pair were both at the same club (Chateauroux) but the comically poor timing was reminiscent of Nicky Butt cuddling Alex Ferguson after our FA Cup Semi-final loss in 2004.

United may have sought to downplay headlines that Howe had seven games to save his job after the CEO's recent comments, but this careless, lack-lustre display didn't aid the manager's cause one iota.

Defeat left Newcastle languishing in 14th place; pre-match talk of kick-starting a European push very hollow and the task of overseeing the rebuild of a fractured squad looking more daunting by the game. The sheer quantity of player trading that needs to be achieved cannot be done in one window.

Howe could be forgiven for not fancying it; quite who would be willing and able to step into his shoes though is open to question, given the constraints of managing this club in this league.  

Biffa

One Mag and his flag - Brian Robson RIP