The match-winner wore Newcastle United’s iconic No. 9 jersey and had the crowd cheering throughout the match.
But Eoin Vessa wasn’t serenading Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mata, who scored a dramatic brace in the 2-1 win, swapped shirts with his former Chateauroux team-mate.
advertise
It was a tale of two very different cameos from the bench last weekend.
Mateta changed the game as soon as he came on, while Visa didn’t even touch the ball after his friend scored the second goal in stoppage time.
Fellow summer rookie Nick Waltermade made a rare move up front in the 84th minute and it only took him slightly longer to make an impact.
Despite Visa and Waltermade spending a combined £124m last summer, manager Eddie Howe made it clear he was not selecting his squad “based on transfer fees” but rather on the results he saw in training.
Howe’s words were a bit revealing as he explained why goal scorer William Orsula got off to an unexpected start.
advertise
“He has great physical attributes and the determination to do well,” he said. “He’s improving week after week.”
The impact of Isak’s departure still exists
Osura’s recall is the latest twist in Newcastle’s search for a lasting solution – seven months after Alexander Isak’s painful exit.
After Isak joined Liverpool for a British record £125m, the club will struggle to find an equal replacement.
This was considered an “impossible” task internally.
But with Callum Wilson also departing, Howe tried to bring in two forwards to spread the load.
advertise
It is recognized that Walter Mader has previously had his eye on Bayern Munich, while Newcastle have also targeted other centre-forwards after failed attempts to bring in Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitic and Benjamin Cescó.
However, after Walter Mader scored five goals in his first six games for Newcastle, the £69m deal seemed justified.
Walter Mader still has one of the highest shot conversion rates (23%) among players who have taken at least 30 shots in the Premier League this season.
However, with captain Bruno Guimarães out injured, technical Walter Mader has oddly been used more frequently in midfield recently.
advertise
It’s frustrating for the coaching staff that they don’t have more time to showcase the various aspects of Walter Mader’s game in the final third.
They’re sure to make that happen in the coming weeks as the schedule continues to loosen up.
But Howe’s broken system has historically relied on a speedy forward who can both get in behind and lead the press.
While Walter Mader will have to adapt to a new style and a tougher, more intense league following his move from Stuttgart, Newcastle will also have to play to his strengths.
Visa’s struggles and tumultuous summer
The Premier League-tested Visa was supposed to help ease the load, but he was hardly fully prepared.
advertise
The striker did not play a proper pre-season after leaving Brentford and suffered a knee injury while on international duty with the Democratic Republic of Congo just days after joining Newcastle.
Despite this, he scored two goals in his first two starts but has only scored once since then.
Winger Anthony Gordon even got a long run ahead of Visa before Orsula had his chance.
Newcastle’s signing record under Howe has been historically strong but they have not seen enough return from a desperate £55m transfer.
The same was true last summer when net spending totaled more than £100m.
advertise
It was a tumultuous time, with Newcastle missing out on a number of first-choice targets, operating without a sporting director and chief executive, and making the vast majority of signings by the time the season was up and running.
Howe was actively involved in the recruitment drive, but more tellingly, only one of Newcastle’s five outfield additions – Malik Thiaw – started against Crystal Palace.
Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga will fight for recall against Bournemouth on Saturday, having joined Walter Mader and Visa on the bench at Selhurst Park.
But Howe did not proactively turn to the quartet – even though Palace issued a warning in the second half when Jefferson Lerma’s header hit the crossbar.
advertise
In the end, opponent Oliver Glasner made a substitution and took the initiative.
‘We have to work with the people we have’
Watching games like this has been a recurring issue for Newcastle in what has been a difficult season.
Although Newcastle have a tendency to retreat and concede late goals, they have repeatedly failed to consolidate their advantage.
In the Premier League this season, only Manchester City has scored more first-half goals than Newcastle (24).
However, Newcastle have conceded more points (25) from winning positions than any other team.
No wonder Crystal Palace full-back Tyreek Mitchell “knew we were going to get our chances” as his side turned things around late in the game.
advertise
The latest setback has seen Newcastle drop to 14th and has led to increased scrutiny over Howe’s future.
“Sometimes people are the only thing that changes something,” he said.
“But we have to work with the personnel we have, and we’re very proud of that. We have a very good team.”
