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Jermaine Jenas delivers verdict on Newcastle’s Kenedy and relegation

Pundits Jermaine Jenas, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand with presenter Jake Humphrey prior to the Premier League match between Watford and Mancheste...
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Newcastle earned a decent point away at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Former England manager Terry Venables (L) and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermaine Jenas leave a Thanksgiving Service to remember the life of former England football manager Sir Bobby...

Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas has claimed on BBC One’s broadcast of Match of the Day 2 (Sunday, 10:30pm) that he is concerned the Toon could be relegated come May.

Rafa Benitez’s men battled hard on Sunday afternoon to earn a decent point away at Crystal Palace despite taking the lead through Mo Diame in the first half at Selhurst Park.

The Toon were brought back to level terms as Luca Milivojevic scored from the penalty spot, and the scoreline remained despite golden opportunities for Palace as Christian Benteke, James McArthur and Wilfried Zaha should have scored.

Kenedy of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on February 4, 2018 in London, England.

Jenas criticised manager Benitez on Match of the Day for deciding to replace Kenedy in the 57th minute, before stating he is concerned that his old side could be relegated to the Championship as they fail to score enough goals.

“Overall Palace were the better side,” Jenas said. “But I was surprised by Newcastle who were on the front foot, Benitez deployed a very attacking side. Kenedy was very progressive, but I was surprised he came off.

“He was one of the players that could really give palace some problems. The problem was that Palace were that good, that Rafa needed to make changes. I’m concerned about them [Newcastle], they simply don’t score enough goals.”

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez shouts encouragement during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on February 4, 2018 in London, England.

Sitting in 16th place and just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, Newcastle have it all to do in the remaining 12 league games of the season.

They face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United at St. James’ Park next time out as they look to avoid the 4-1 thrashing inflicted on them by the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial back in November at Old Trafford.

A loss, though, could see them drop into the bottom three once again this season.