Oliver Glasner admits he must uncover answers to Crystal Palace’s ongoing problems from set-pieces.
After shipping two goals at St James’ Park, Palace have now conceded 13 of their 23 Premier League goals from dead-ball situations.
Newcastle broke the deadlock in the 71st minute when Jacob Murphy’s free-kick was only partially cleared, falling to Harvey Barnes. The second-half substitute floated a delivery into the box, which Lewis Miley pulled back for Bruno Guimarães to nod into an unguarded net.
Seven minutes later, Palace were undone again from a set-piece as Dean Henderson failed to deal with Guimarães’ corner at the near post, allowing Malick Thiaw to prod home following a scramble.
For large spells, Palace were competitive, firing off 12 shots and fashioning two clear-cut chances on Tyneside.
However, their recurring vulnerability at set-pieces once more proved costly, leaving them 14th in the Premier League and extending their winless run to five matches.
Palace boss Glasner feels injuries to Chris Richards and Daniel Munoz have contributed to the issue and admitted he is currently searching for solutions.
“Disappointing defeat, disappointing result. Most disappointing for me is conceding another two goals from set plays.
“In five of our last six defeats – Strasbourg, Man United, Leeds, Tottenham and today – we just conceded goals from set pieces.
“You can’t win games like this and this is what we have to get sorted. It’s my responsibility (blamed himself for the defeat) to give the players better solutions, so they feel more comfortable and can defend this in a better way.
“It’s always a second phase where we are not really structured and then conceding goals.
“There were many parts of the game that I was really pleased with. We played really well. We didn’t give them chances from open play until the last few minutes when we went all in to get the goal.
“We defended really well. We created a few good situations, we had a big chance straight before half time.
“With all the circumstances, making a concussion sub in the first half and another substitution straight after half time due to Clyne’s injury, showing a performance where I think a point was possible [was good].
“But we have to solve the problem of conceding goals from set plays – there’s so many.
“There are a few explanations. Without Chris Richards, we don’t have one of our best headers in the box available. Ismaila is not here and he has a key role on the near post and is also quite tall. Daniel Munoz has a good presence with his physicality.
“Bringing in smaller players and then losing one of our best headers in the first half in Jefferson Lerma.
“When he got injured, it was the same ball where we conceded a goal in the second half, he just cleared it because he’s really great in these situations.
“We don’t have so many other headers like that. This won’t change until Wednesday. This won’t change until Macclesfield. It’s my job to find better solutions. Right now, I have to admit that I have completely failed.”