Joe Whitworth knows the question is coming. He has been asked it many times before and the issue never seems to go away. Even on Tuesday night, as he prepared to defend a penalty for Exeter City against Birmingham City,

The Colombian full-back, who missed a glorious chance earlier to give the hosts a first-half lead, beat Nick Pope with a towering far-post header with just over 90 seconds of stoppage time left to play.

In spite of their injury woes, Newcastle have been the better side so far. As things stand Opta's live win predictor suggests that the Magpies have a 42% chance of victory; Crystal Palace's chance of picking up three points is rated at 29%.