Steven Taylor scored his second headed goal in two games deep into stoppage time to upset the odds and leave Newcastle with a very real chance of finishing in the top ten when the season draws to a close next week. To do that we’ll have to beat West Brom next week at St James’ Park, but that is for us to talk about later. Right now I’ll stick to this game.
The bookies had Chelsea as overwhelming favourites to take three points from the match. Even the most optimistic NUFC fan will have been hard pushed to see us taking anything from the match given our rather long injury list. Still this is football, and there is always hope I guess.
That hope took a huge dent just two minutes into the match though when Branislav Ivanovic turned a Fernando Torres flick-on into the back of the net to give the home side the lead. When that goal when in I must admit I feared the worst and felt that we could have ended up on the end of a thumping.
However, this makeshift Newcastle side regained their composure and managed to get a foothold in the game. In fact they even levelled the scores on 10 minutes when Jonas Gutierrez deflected a rather wild and wayward Ryan Taylor free kick goalwards beyond a wrong-footed Petr Cech. 1-1.
Things settled down after that aside from the odd spikey challenge. If anything it was Newcastle who just shaded it and arguably had the better chances through Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi. Shane Ferguson was impressive, as was Jonas Gutierrez who was employed in a central midfield attacking role. Being fair to everyone though, it was a team effort that ensured the two sides went in at half-time all square.
It was Chelsea who created the bulk of the chances in the second half. Ashley Cole had a header deflected wide whilst Ramires flashed a 25-yard shot a foot wide of the goal. Newcastle had their own chances though, with Jonas Gutierrez having a couple of efforts comfortably saved by Cech.
This prompted a recall of the big guns for Chelsea as Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Michael Essien all entered the fray from the bench, but whilst the introduction of three of Chelsea’s stars did improve their performance the away side held firm and looked calm, collected and, most importantly, committed.
That was until the 83rd minute when Jose Enrique lashed out at a Chelsea player and conceded a free-kick on the right-wing. Frank Lampard duly delivered the ball on the head of Alex who headed the ball home to give the home side the lead. Tim Krul, who had been having a good game, was to blame for the goal as he tried to claim the cross but ended up flapping at it instead. You could see by his reaction that he knew he done wrong so as long as he learns from it he’ll be fine.
It could have easily been game over at that point, but to their credit Newcastle tried to get an equaliser. Kazenga Lua Lua crossed into the box only for Ryan Taylor to see his volley deflected wide. Shortly after that, the other Taylor did get the equaliser when he nodded Nile Ranger’s header back across goal into the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the game.
Today was full of positives for me. Shane Ferguson was exceptional and showed more glimpses of his talent before he withdrew with injury. Steven Taylor showed glimpses of what could be if he keeps his head screwed on, Joey Barton, Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez were all outstanding and we even got to see some good touches from Sammy Ameobi and Kazenga Lua Lua after they were brought on.
The biggest positive for me today though was the way that Newcastle played. At times we played some fantastic stuff and defended solidly. All of that was born out of hard work and commitment. These lads may not be the household names of the past, but today they gave their all. That is all we can ever ask.
Howay the lads!
Chelsea: Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic ,Alex, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Ramires, Frank Lampard, Josh McEachran, Yossi Benayoun, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres.
Subs: Ross Turnbull, David Luiz, Essien, Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel, Florent Malouda, Paulo Ferreira.
Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Jonas Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor, Joey Barton, Shane Ferguson, Shola Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands.
Subs: Ole Soderberg, James Tavernier, Alan Smith, Kazenga LuaLua, Sammy Ameobi, Shefki Kuqi, Nile Ranger.
Referee: Lee Mason.
Attendance: 41,739.
Jobey
He has knee issues thats why Stoke never signed him, I wouldn’t want to take the risk.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Toonsy not the best pic but I am still not convinced it was ‘Wild and Wayward’ 😉
http://www.footytube.com/video/chelsea-v-newcastle-united-81941?ref=search
Big Dave(Quote)
Birmingham and Wigan.
Blackpool to survive.
🙄
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
That handshake with Pardew prior to trotting on. His apparently friendly attitude towards our players. Him kicking the ball aimlessly away after our equaliser to waste time. The evidence was there. Drogba must be on his way.
The commentator made a facetious comment about it.
£8m for a 33 year old proven Premiership centre forward in the summer. Gets the No.9 shirt and off we go.
This is after the Injuns have taken over obviously.
bowburnmag(Quote)
Good to see the Gers getting the 3rd title in a row aswell 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
BBM how da hell’s it going Lad all good I hope 😉
I would give the Drog a go, lets face it he must be better than what we have 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I would literally cum in my shorts if drogba signed. He’s old but Christ he is what we need to take us forward. He’s another 3 years left.
raffo(Quote)
Evening Dave! Aye, not bad at all mate. Just about getting settled north of the border during the working week. Been a busy few weekends in a row so felt like I haven’t stopped.
Enjoyed that today mind. Proud as punch and chuffed to bits when we equalised. Still a long way from a really good side but the attitude is much improved and we have the foundations of a really useful side.
bowburnmag(Quote)
🙄 😯
Big Dave(Quote)
Wehey – BBM! Where ya been?
I hate Drogba – he’s the Schumacher of football. Utterly brilliant but still finds the need to cheat and generally be a waste of carbon as a human being.
NIce wind-up for his mafia boss, though.
Whumpie(Quote)
Alright whumps! Aye, but it’s like anything else, once he’s ours you’d managed to ignore certain indescretions while still recognising he’s a bit of a knob.
He’s mates with Tiote so despite me being daft, perhaps dafter things have happened? I think he’d fit into our team pretty well and his sort of play is what we need desperately.
bowburnmag(Quote)
Working away at the minute whumps and lots going on so finding it more and more difficult to get online.
bowburnmag(Quote)
84 was @ 82 😆
BBM IMO I dont think we are that far away just a few quality players should take us to the next level 😉 As for today the Lads really deserved something after the effort they put in, I have said for most of the yr I will always accept that effort no matter what the outcome is, I just love to see our team put a full shift in and the pts is the icing on the cake 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
BBM returns like the prodigal son! Good to see you around fella – and now you’ve got me thinking! I normally don’t speculate but you can ignore the circumstances can you!
Would be a great addition if only for 3 years
Stardust(Quote)
Just heard from my source, Drogba asked Pards if he could sign for us . That was the exchange they had.
Pards apparently said we can’t afford your wages.
Drog ran onto the pitch and later in the game ran up to Pards and said, let’s have talks!
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I can lipread and can confirm what Drogba said 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Bobby
Really……. Not sure I’m ever going to believe that!
pearceet(Quote)
“No. I really think he’s dodgy. Alot of our goals come from his bad mistakes.He’s a great lad but would prefer a new 10 mil CB to play with Taylor and I would really like to see raylor at RB.”
A comment from someone on Ed’s. The person in question is Colo, btw 😆
DevonMag(Quote)
Got to say I’m surprised at how many people are saying Forster should be ahead of Krul next season. Krul was outstanding today, bar one mistake which cost us a goal. Forster is a decent keeper but in terms of progress, Krul is streets ahead. Those of you saying Krul should go out on loan need to realise that Krul went out on loan to Falkirk and had virtually a full season there (just like Forster is only doing now) whilst his only conceded 32 goals in 20 Premier League games this season. Those games include matches against Liverpool, Man City, Bolton and West Brom, where we conceded 17 goals in 6 games. That leaves 15 goals in 14 games, at Premier League level. Forster needs to do that first before he can jump ahead of Krul in my opinion.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)