Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea: Battling Mags go third as Joe Willock stunner seals win!

Andrew Reynolds

Newcastle confirmed third place in the Premier League heading into the World Cup break after a Joe Willock stunner secured a 1-0 victory for the Toon over an out of form Chelsea side.

There were few chances to be had between either side, with both teams struggling to find space in the penalty box, but a moment of magic from last week’s goalscorer was enough to separate the two.

Despite being below our best, we looked the better side and proved once again that we can win ugly if needed, pulling off our fifth straight Premier League win and yet another clean sheet as Graham Potter’s side found no way through our black and white wall.

Howe made two changes from our 4-1 win over Southampton last Sunday, as Chris Wood came in for Callum Wilson – who was only fit enough for the bench after training on his own all week – and Joelinton replaced Jacob Murphy on the left side of our attack.

Chelsea handed a debut to 18-year-old Lewis Hall and there was no Sterling, Aubameyang, Silva, Havertz or Cucurella in their starting 11.

It was a disjoined start to the first half. Fabian Schar went down with a head injury after giving away an early foul and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also pulled up moments later, seeing Brazil international Thiago Silva replace the latter just six minutes in.

We were pressing well and looked bang up for it in that sense, although we hadn’t mustered our first shot until a lovely run from Willock ended up with Almiron; who blasted a left-footed volley over the bar just after the 15 minute mark.

Wood wasn’t offering enough. He was joining the press, but his hold up play needed to be better, with too many simple balls bouncing off the big Kiwi as neither side really asserted their dominance on a game that felt there to be won.

Broja had the first effort on goals just before the half hour mark, although that was easily claimed by Pope before Jorginho became the first player to go into the book after a blatant trip on Bruno. Botman then made a vital interception five minutes later, flicking a cross destined for Broja out for a corner just as Chelsea threatened to create the game’s biggest opening.

There was a penalty shout for Newcastle just before the break as Burn’s low cut back struck Chalobah’s arm, but the referee waved it away and VAR did too. The resultant corner was header way over and the half-time whistle went. 0-0.

The first chance of the half fell to Newcastle five minutes in as a looping cross was headed back towards the penalty spot by Joelinton, but Bruno’s effort was saved well from Mendy and the rebounded shot from Longstaff was blocked by the Chelsea defence. 

We started to pile on the pressure nearly 15 minutes into the second period with a delightful cross from Willock down the left-wing which was put behind for a corner with some last ditch defending from Chelsea. 

Chelsea has their first chance of the half 20 minutes in as Trippier gave the ball away poorly in the box, leaving Gallagher open to take a shot that was well saved by Pope and put out for a corner. 

The Toon finally broke the deadlock midway through the half with a beautiful ball over the top from Joelinton which reached the stride of Almiron who did brilliantly to cut inside and dribble past Koulibaly before the ball was taken off him by Willock and struck perfectly into the top right corner. 

Potter, clearly unhappy with his sides performance so far, made three big changes with less than 20 minutes to go – Ziyech, Cucurella and Havertz all came on for the Blues. 

Newcastle first change of the evening came up too as Chris Wood made way for the in-form and World Cup blind Callum Wilson after 75 minutes. 

With 10 minutes left to go in the game, Newcastle had started to drop deeper and deeper, inviting pressure from the Chelsea forward line but, again, the visitors struggled to create anything concrete. 

Sven Botman was forced off with an injury and replaced by Matt Targett on the 86th minute after he received treatment multiple times, shifting Dan Burn into the other centre-half position. 

Despite their best efforts, we remained resilient defensively and the away side failed to even register a single shot on target following Willock’s screamer. 

The result makes it five victories in a row for Eddie Howe’s high-flying Magpies and a European push could well be on the cards if we can keep this kind of form up heading into the new year. 

Next up, a World Cup break, training camp in Saudi and return to action a Leicester in six weeks time!

STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Longstaff, Willock – Almiron, Wood, Joelinton

SUBS: Darlow, Lascelles, Shelvey, Wilson, Saint-Maximin, Targett, Manquillo, Murphy, Anderson.

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588 thoughts on “Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea: Battling Mags go third as Joe Willock stunner seals win!”

  2. Giroud just scored a well worked goal and Albert Steptoe was happy. I thought the Poles had the better chances before that.

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  6. Good save by the T-Rex Mackem. That’s what he can do. He is a really good reflex shot stopper.

    McGuire is doing well also. I dont know what happened to him at Man U this year?

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  9. I actually think we have the best squad in the tournament. There are so many of our midfielders and forwards that are interchangeable. Not sure if we have the best TEAM because you can never rule out Lionel Messi, even at 35.

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  10. I think we are almost there. The commentators always say that 2 nil is the most dangerous score. B0llocks!!! Nil-Nil and 1-Nil are much more dangerous.

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  11. FFS. Ian Darke who is commentating in the US just said 2 nil is a dangerous lead. Do these people have brain cells? You hardly ever lose if you are 2 nil up!!!!!!!!!!!

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  12. There you go. 3 nil. So much for these idiotic commentators theories about 2 nil being “dangerous”.

    But Moreso. Well done England. We have thoroughly outplayed Senegal.

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  13. 2nd half has been excellent despite the “danger “ of a two goal lead🤣🤣🤣

    Great press and perfect counter after winning back the ball complemented by a fab finish

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  14. Go West: Somebody should talk to these commentators. They all seem to have it stuck in their heads that 2 nil is a bad score. I bet you lose less than 1% of the time after going 2 nil up. But it is like this thing that they have accepted and repeat, even though it is wrong.

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  15. Great to see England playing with freedom and to their strengths. I always thought Southgate was a bit too defensive minded.

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  17. @eric .. I gave up listening to tv commentary years ago and now sync up muted tv with radio commentary .. sadly they’re getting just as bad as tv now.

    It’s almost as if they believe anyone who hasn’t played at elite level doesn’t understand the game.

    Been playing, coaching, watching footy my whole life so don’t need their lazy arrogant , patronising tripe tbh

    Anyhow .. job done .. bring on the French

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  18. Kimtoon: I dont think France are what they were. It is MBappe and 10 others now! Rabiot and Griezeman are OK but I think our players are better.

    Just kick the **** out of MBappe and we should go through.

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  19. I also think we have a secret weapon – Jack Grealish!

    I am not sure if the foreign Refs know what he does which is run into people on purpose to win a free kick. There are usually fine margins in these later stage games and Jack-the-lad could be our ace in the hole.

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  20. Eric Sykes: Kimtoon: I dont think France are what they were. It is MBappe and 10 others now! Rabiot and Griezeman are OK but I think our players are better.

    Just kick the **** out of MBappe and we should go through.

    Well that’s one way of dealing with him.

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  21. I am much happier with Southgate. Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks?

    I used to get annoyed that he would play 5 at the back with 2 screening midfielders – Rice and Phillips. It sort of worked but there wasnt much fun in it. I wonder if those Nations League losses forced the rethink ?

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  22. Miggy is always at the front in team pictures. Even on the plane, the pic of them flying to Saudi that Olly just posted. All of the dressing room photos Miggy is always front and center. Literally.

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  24. There’s been a lot of talk about Foden & Bellingham being key players in this England team – and they are.
    But a player that seems central to our chances is Jordan Henderson – imo.

    He was brilliant last night & was against Wales too.

    He seems to gel everything together & is a vocal leader in that midfield.

    He’s been a huge player in Liverpools success & it feels like he knows exactly what is needed.
    He’s not the most technically gifted player but he can orchestrate those around him & that could be the difference in the big games coming up.

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  25. Sharpy: I think I would give every player an 8 out of 10, including the Mackem T-Rex who has shown great distribution. We had a blip against the USA but recovered well against Wales and Senegal. McGuire hasnt even made any gaffs.

    So far, I would say we are the team of the tournament.

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  26. You know who set all of this in motion with this new England group? Dan Ashworth when he was at the England training centre.

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  28. Sharpy17: There’s been a lot of talk about Foden & Bellingham being key players in this England team – and they are.But a player that seems central to our chances is Jordan Henderson – imo.

    He was brilliant last night & was against Wales too.

    He seems to gel everything together & is a vocal leader in that midfield.

    He’s been a huge player in Liverpools success & it feels like he knows exactly what is needed.He’s not the most technically gifted player but he can orchestrate those around him & that could be the difference in the big games coming up.

    Very much agree Sharpy, he was very good last night

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  30. Luca Modric is starting to look like a little old lady. I think I will send him a cat and a shopping cart. Some comfy slippers?

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  32. I don’t know if it’s Brazil are class or Korea just haven’t bothered to show up here – but the Brazil manager dancing with Richarlison is something I can’t unsee 🤨🫣

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  34. I have been a bit critical of Southgate in the past because I think he has been too cautious. However you have to give him credit for playing Rice, Saka and Bellingham who were/are basically kids.

    We have a very difficult path to win this thing as it is probably France-Spain-Brazil. I am just going to enjoy the moment(s) because if we go out it will be to a very good team. I still think France are beatable though.

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  35. It is like we have gone from Bruce-Ball to Eddie-Ball in a couple of weeks. The USA game was cr@p but that is the nature of football, you will have off days. Even Man City have off days.

    Seems to be a trend with these Brazilians dying their hair blond. We have our 2 of course but now Neymar and Richarlison.

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  36. It is just good to be entertained again. As NUFC fans we know what it is like to watch turgid and timid football. How we all survived it I will never know. Even under Rafa, the quality of football was vastly overrated by most fans.

    As for the France game. I really dont care that much who starts, Walker or Tripps. I think it will be Walker because of his perceived extra pace to combat MBappe. We can double up on him though as Saka has played wing back for Arsenal. The main thing is for us to take the initiative. If MBappe hardly touches the ball then he has less chance to hurt us.

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  43. There’s a lot history with Spain and Morrocco. The Moors and wotnot. I have been to the area most influenced – Granada and the Alhambra, Cordoba, Seville. You can still see it. They converted the Mosques into churches. The main one being in Cordoba. So I think the Moroccans will be going crazy tonight.

    Not sure if they are allowed to drink so it might be tea with 8 spoons of sugar?

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  45. With Spain out this is actually opening up a bit now. We just have to beat France. Not sure if a South American team has ever won a tournament outside the Americas.

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  47. The games are getting a bit harder to call.
    Brazil should beat Croatia but
    Netherlands v Argentina
    France v England
    Morocco v Portugal
    They could all go either way.

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  49. Eric Sykes: With Spain out this is actually opening up a bit now. We just have to beat France. Not sure if a South American team has ever won a tournament outside the Americas.

    Brazil in ‘58 in Sweden and 02 in Japan / s Korea. (Last s American winner)
    Germany only euro team to win in Americas in ‘14

    Won’t miss Spain .. beyond dull

    Portugal look tasty.

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  50. There is always someone that makes a name for themselves at a WC. Looks like it will be Ramos. We will see if Ronaldo gets a strop on at not being the centre of attention. I have always maintained that at Man U him and Fernandez wanted to occupy the same space.

    I just read a piece in the Guardian that said England had been preparing for France for 2 years. They had a presentation yesterday from some FA chappy who had a dossier. I hope they are not overthinking this. We should be taking the game to France.

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  51. I am watching a rerun of the Portugal game. The producers spent as much time focusing on Ronaldo on the bench as the action on the pitch.

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  52. I think I have reached grumpy old man status. But it is the Football coverage that is causing it. We have officially reached Tabloid TV in terms of football coverage. Ronaldo on the bench is the peak of this. There has always been a cult of personality in football, be it George Best or Pele but it is now out of control.

    I have to turn the sound off for the 1st 10 minutes of every game because the commentators will tell you every useless fact they have researched about the teams on the internet. I dont mind them giving the age a player or how many goals he has scored but I am not interested in the fact that the teams played a nil-nil draw in 1955.

    They need to get a grip and rein in some of the rubbish. Every single second doesnt have to be filled with mindless twaddle. Sometimes you can let the football speak for itself.

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  53. If Chelsea are willing to sell us Pulisic for 26 million we would be mad not to go for it. I think he is a very good player who has been messed around at Chelsea. But there is also the NUFC brand factor. The next world cup is in North America and it cannot hurt the Saudis to have USAs best player in the NUFC squad. We also need cover for ASM, Isak and Wilson. That is obvious now. He is still only 24.

    Another development is Gabriel Jesus has had knee surgery which will rule him out of our games. You dont want to wish ill on a player but that will help us as they dont really have another forward.

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  54. Qualifying for the Champions League this season is a game changer. We need to push on and go all in. I think Pulisic would help. I am not worried about FFP in the short term but the top PL clubs could try to block sponsorship deals unless we get into the CL.

    I fully expect to see Aramco on the shirts and Saudia on SJP in the summer if we qualify for the CL.

    Spurs haven’t found a stadium sponsor yet but we have a massive advantage. When Bin Salmon says jump to a Saudi company their only question is HOW HIGH?

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  55. I don’t believe Eddie. He always does this bluffing thing.

    If we can get Maddison and/or Pulisic in Jan we will get them.

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  56. NUFC live stream is unwatchable. 😡😡😡😡. It stops every 30 seconds or so. Impossible to watch. Ffs, if they are going to show it live they need to sort out the streaming.

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  62. Some very odd refereeing in that match. 5-0 win, I’ll take that but lots of free kicks not given that should’ve been, given that shouldn’t and defo a penalty shout for them. But hey ho. It’s a (sort of) friendly with some not so friendly tackles and a good run out and result. Pleased for Dylan Stephenson getting his goal.

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