Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe knows his side need to be more clinical when they come up against Crystal Palace in the Premier League after being held to two previous 0-0 draws with the Eagles this season.
Patrick Vieira's team have proven themselves to be more than worthy adversaries ahead of this weekend's match. The sides have met twice this term - in the Premier League and Carabao Cup - both games finished 0-0.
The League Cup clash would see the Magpies go on to win 3-2 on penalties as Chris Wood, Joelinton and Kieran Trippier kept their cool from the spot. A semi-final clash with Southampton now sees Newcastle just two matches away from a Wembley final, but Howe knows his side have a job to do against Palace before they can shift their focus to thoughts of silverware.
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Back in September, Newcastle played out a frustrating 0-0 draw that saw the Tyneside club squander a handful of glorious opportunities to score. Alexander Isak failed to make the most of a one-on-one during his home debut in what was the best chance to claim all three points.
In truth, Howe's side were cruelly denied the win by a bizarre VAR intervention that deemed Joe Willock had fouled Vicente Guaita in the build-up to a Tyrick Mitchell own goal. Replays showed that the Palace man clearly shoved Willock into the goalkeeper, yet the decision was still made to rule the goal out.
Speaking after the game that day, Howe was left incandescent over the decision, but the 45-year-old was also fully aware that his side should not have needed to rely on the technology in the first place given the number of chances they had.
"It was an incredible game," he said after the game back in September. "Two teams going at it trying to deliver. Barring a slow start - or maybe a 15-20 minute period in the middle of the first half - the lads gave me everything. How we have not scored, I'll let you look back and decide.
"There were more presentable ones [than the Isak chance]. Everything we tried in and around the goal didn't work, even the one we did score."
Howe has already called on his side to be more clinical following 0-0 draws with Leeds and Arsenal earlier this season. His side now need to show their manager that they have taken his advice on board as they look to cement their place in the top four with a win against Palace on Saturday afternoon.
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