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.
Other poeple that were obviously boring:
Margaret Thatcher
Eddie “the eagle” Edwards
Anybody with the surname Rees-Mogg.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Then there is Harry Redknapp saying everybody is a:
Top, top, top, top, top, top, top, top, top, top, top bloke.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why is it always TOP, TOP?
and not just TOP?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I NEVER say I am going to eat a “Steak, steak”. I would say I am going to eat a “steak”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well it is 10pm, 10pm tonight and I got up at 4am, 4am to watch Wales, Wales so I will now go to bed, bed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean it!!!
Why is every always:
“TOP, TOP”?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is a Redknappism that has now entered into the world of accepted football speak.
Same as how “literally” is now accepted to mean “figuratively” because so many people use it wrongly that the dictionaries just said – OK, if that’s how you use it, we will just agree.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
God that was a terrible game. It was like watching a rerun of Are You Being Served on a loop for 2 hours. I’m free, where’s your p%ssy Mrs Slocumb?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well talking about really good music is far better than that s.hite we had to watch last night! I used to work in the paint industry and I’ve literally watched paint dry! It really was far more interesting than the England game.
But I love all those bands you guys were talking about. I tried and tried for Blondie tickets in the late 70s and early 80s. Always sold out until one tour I finally got some for the Newcastle city hall. Third row from the front. I was unbelievably excited and then two weeks before the show, they split up and cancelled the tour! Gutted. Then years later, Maria was a massive number one hit, they toured again with Squeeze as support, and I finally got to see Blondie live! Amazing. The one and only time. Lol
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly: I havent even scraped the surface of the bands I have seen. I saw Bon Scott’s last concert at the Newcastle Mayfair, have seen Frank Zappa, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Iggy Pop, Van Morrison, The Specials. So many, I wont bore everyone. So, back to NUFC…
The Chronic have an interview with Warren Barton. He is from London and lives in San Diego but just has so much passion for the Toon you would think he was a Geordie. I love Warren Barton. His adoration for everything Newcastle comes out in every interview he ever does. He was a pundit here in the US for a while and even when we were bad he couldnt hide what he thought – that some time, our day would come. That the Ashley years were temporary and we would be back where we belong and beyond.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I do not understand why Mount, Sterling and Saka are considered international class players. Especially with Foden on the bench.
georgio(Quote)
I even saw Ozzy at the City Hall with the impossibly talented Randy Rhoads. He died in a plane crash. But I said I was getting back to football 🙂
Aussies are up 1 nil which probably means we will not see that young lad we signed. Pity!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
England are pretty much qualified, right. BUT…BUT…BUT playing for a nil-nil Gareth!!! How Bruce is that FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The USA are not a good team and England let them boss the game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When you have the momentum in the WC you step on the next team’s throat. You dont just sit back, say tickle my tummy, and nudge to the knockouts. You make a statement Gareth. You show intent. Intensity, as Eddie Howe likes to say!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Eddie Howe? Not only did he replace the Cabbage that farted out of his mouth every time he spoke, but he saved us from relegation. All you have to do to see how brilliant Eddie is is to watch the Bournemouth documentary “Minus 17” where he saved them from going out of the league. I know I have said this before, but it is worth repeating. He also did a watchalong thing with Wor Callum Wilson that is worth a look on Youtube.
Just nice people, and such a contrast to the bent nosed clown.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Do you remember when Lliambas said – you dont know how horrible we can be when he was hired by Ashley? You can be ruthless in business and in football management, but you dont need to be a cnt. This is what I dont get about Donald Trump supporters, they are supporting a nasty piece of work and a jack-@ss.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Some American-isms have crept into my new vernacular in the 30 years I have lived here 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well done the Aussies. You deserve it, mates. I sort of have a soft spot for some Aussies because my favourite cricketers of all time are Don Bradman and Shane Warne and my favourite commentator in any sport is Ritchie Benaud. It was Ritchie’s direct, but understated manner that I liked.
And I didnt even mention Barry Humphries who is one of the funniest people of all time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah well done the Aussies. Still trying to erase that **** show we put on last night , 90 mins I won’t get back.
Even the BBC sport page tweeted we need to get out the men in black zapper and erase last night !
Georgio totally agree
kimtoon(Quote)
To be fair Saka had a poor game last night & is usually better than that imo – I thought their young full back from Fulham – Robinsons I think, and Pulisic were dangerous & Trippier & Saka struggled with them. They definitely lost that battle.
I also like Mount in that midfield 3 – but we lost that battle too!!. All 3 of Mount, Bellingham & Rice struggled last night.
But I don’t mind Saka & Mount in there usually coz both work hard & do have the talent to affect the game.
It’s Sterling I would have take out for Foden.
I also would have been screaming at Harry Kane to stay up front!! coz more often than not Mount was the furthest forward for us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Apparently the Saudis each got a Rolls Royce for beating Argentina 😳😂.
If they get that – what’s Ronaldo going to be offered man?!?!!!
Come play in Saudi & we’ll buy you Man Utd 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Warren Barton is doing commentary on the Saudi game over here in the USA. Did I ever mention I absolutely LOVE Warren Barton 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How the hell are Saudi not up by 2 or3 goals
woeful finishing
kimtoon(Quote)
What would they be given if they actually won the WC !
kimtoon(Quote)
This site is full of ads since I changed to a laptop.:-(
kimtoon(Quote)
They were talking about the Saudi crowd getting into it now at 60 mins and the lead commentator asking Warren about what it was like walking out at SJP. I am sure she knew the Saudi connection. Mr B was, as always, effusive saying there is nothing like playing in front of 52,000 Newcastle fans.
Did I mention I LOVE Warren Barton?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not even cheering for the Saudis. But if you give lewendowsky one chance you are screwed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have to admit I have gone into a REVERSE Simon Jordan and Miguel Delaney mode when it comes to the Saudis. I admit it is partly that they own MY team but it is also the double standards.
The USA have killed millions of people in middle east wars in the last 10 years and they say nothing when a US Hedge Fund buys a PL club.
They have capital punishment in the US by electric chair and lethal injection, but somehow a beheading in Saudi is much worse! It is actually quicker most of the time.
I am not defending the KSA, I am saying there are so many double standards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Homosexuality was decriminalized in the UK in 1967. That is not that long ago people.
Women did not get the right to vote in the USA until 1920. That is not that long ago either.
The emancipation proclamation to free slaves in the USA was in 1863. That was only a couple of lifetimes back.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Agree hard to say which is more barbaric beheading, the chair or lethal injection . I suppose beheading is quickest/foolproof unless you are useless with a sword .
kimtoon(Quote)
I am not certain, but I could make a good guess that The Gollowgate End is a reference to where they used to take people through gates for public hangings in Newcastle?
Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The USA have killed thousands of people in Iraq and Syria without a trial and imprisoned hundreds in Guantanimo without a trial. But the Saudis are the ONLY bad guys? And Viet Nam? Pretty much killing women and children for the sake of it! Agent Orange!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is just so much hypocrisy. It is like p!ssing on your own leg and saying it is raining.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I will try to keep politics out of football, but it is difficult with these journos and pundits bringing it up all of the time and knowing what my adopted country do in the mid-east.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
After a day of reflection I think the US played their best game in years. Southgate selected a team that overran Iran so you cant really blame him for sticking with it. Sterling has been a star for England so you have to stick with him. Kane is only a couple of goals off Rooney’s all time record so if he’s fit, he plays. Is he fit though? Even McGuire and the T-Rex Mackem have never let England down.
I dont know what went wrong? Is Gareth just too conservative in his approach? Is he a middle manager at the Post Office who cannot step up. And can he please tell Harry Kane he is a striker and not a midfielder. I know he drops back for Spurs sometimes but he never plays the whole game in midfield.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If we run scared from Wales that is basic cowardice. We have pretty much qualified (Wales have to win 4-0) so we should be making a statement. We should be battering them because not a single player in their 11 would get in the England team. It is as simple as that!!! A draw is not a RESULT. It is like a top 6 PL team playing a Championship team and that is the way we should look at it. Gareth should be held accountable if we dont murder the sheep shaggers.
Maybe coz his name is Gareth he will go easy on them?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What I want is not just a result, I want us to run riot. I want us to be entertained. This has always been my problem with Southgate.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is not much going on on this site so I will blab on a bit more.
I am absolutely sick of negative football. I want Eddie-Ball. Not Bruce-Ball or Rafa-Ball or Schteve-Ball. They were all so full of excuses and played not to lose. I watched that stuff for like 5 years and it was always excuses.
I want to see Southgate play to England’s strengths which are the attacking 7 and to not play an injured Harry Kane, who he admitted was injured!!!!!!!!!!!
You will not beat Brazil by playing Steve Bruce tactics. Hell, you will not beat the United States by playing Steve Bruce tactics. You have to be bold Gareth, my man. If we are going to go down, let us go down in flames with no fear in our hearts and not with a whimper. We have the players…
I am all for glorious failure as opposed to not trying at all. But… I don’t expect failure if we play to our strengths.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The USA are not a good team. They have a couple of good players and would be the Everton of the Premier League, maybe a Crystal Palace at best!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The subs against USA tell the Southgate story. Need a goal to win so instead of bringing Foden on he chose another holder in past it anyway Henderson and took off our best attacker in Bellingham. Negative all the way our Gareth.
georgio(Quote)
Eric – they are well organised & work their socks off – but you are right, quality wise they are lacking – and certainly lacking a CF to stick it away.
On the rare occasion we moved the ball quickly we got in with ease really – but we spent more time ‘building from the back’.
I would definitely have Pulisic at Newcastle though – he’s the American Miggy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It might sound nuts but I got up at 4am Chicago time to watch Japan/Costa Rica. It only comes around every 4 years, so why not! I think I will go back to bed for an hr and set the alarm for the next match.
Or just wait for Spain/Germany which is 1pm over here.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spain/Germany would normally be the must watch game of the group stage unless Argentina played Brazil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Costa Rica are our adopted team. The boy was more into the game this morning than any of the England games & he hadn’t heard of a single player 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
I was expecting Newcastle to be linked with a different player every day heading through to the transfer window. Maybe that will start after the WC – but those we have been linked with so far I have to say I like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Belgium love to Morocco. Another big upset.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That should say lose to Morocco … that Belgian side are quite old now. Most of them over 29
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Sharpy: it should be interesting for you with your boy in Costa Rica. He can text you every day. When I was there 30 years ago it was still film cameras. Your lad will probably be able to find wi-fi and send you pics.
I think it has changed a lot. I know there are zip lines in the tree canopies now. The animals run away from people though so you really dont see many. And I was on an eco-tour so we should have seen more than a lot of ants and 1 toucan 🙂
We took a cruise boat overnight and arrived at a different island every day. I remember it was a bit muddy because they have “cloud forests”. Not quite rain forests but still a bit wet. Oh, I did see a sloth. They can’t run away 🙂
The people are nice.
What a wonderful adventure for a 15 year old though!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There really isnt any NUFC news, so I will get on my high horse…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
These youtube NUFC channels are bl00dy strange. They have people who cannot speak properly. Gallowgate Shots are all a bunch of garbled mumblers. Same with Adam Pearson who also has rhotacism. Which Gibbo has as well. I have never, ever heard that speech affectation in the US.
I dont really understand!!! if you are going to make a living on youtube then maybe you should not sound like you are stupid! I grew up in Newcastle and it is not the Geordie accent that I do not understand, it is the garbled rubbish they speak. Gollowgate Shots is the worst for that – they speak a million miles an hour in this muffled Geordie that I havent really heard before. All of them!!!
Then there is the nasty man on TTR who has a go at anybody who disagrees with what he says. And everything he says is supposedly gospel. SUSAN.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes Paul, at TTR. You are totally disingenuous. You have a right go at people like John Sinclair and others that come on your chat and then say you love them. Sinclair is an idiot. Why say anything different?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why pretend?
I LOVE HIM, I REALLY DO. JOHN SINCLAIR.
We all know you are lying.
Why pretend?
He is an idiot and you are a bully. So bully him like you try to bully everybody else and dont change your tune mid-sentence. SUSAN… can you get me my meds so I can have cringeworthy moan about that again?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Done b!tching. Now to the main event – Spain/Germany!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Best game I ever saw in the WC was Germany/France in 1982. I think I was 20 and working in a Youth Hostel. They had a beer vending machines so I was drinking. I think it ended 3-3 and the Germans went through on pens, or maybe it was the French 🙂 I didnt really care as I had sex with a cute American chick afterwards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – he can’t. They’ve told us already – no contact for FOUR WEEKS!!
But it will be an amazing time away for him and me & the wife are planning a 2 week break while he’s away or we’ll be climbing the walls … we’ve heard Costa Rica is nice that time of year 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
That is a bit of a pity Sharpster. Your boy should be able to show his Mam and his Dad what he is doing in real time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is a pathway leading to the promised land Gareth, if only you will take it. The Dutch are cr@p, the Germans are cr@p, the Belgians are perennial underachievers and the South Americans never win anything outside of the Americas.
Grab your knackers man and seize the day.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ITALY AREN’T EVEN THERE!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was in Florence and Copenhagen 2 months ago. Going to Mexico in 2 months.
People have these BUCKET LISTS, I really dont. I go where the mood takes me which has been Egypt, Greece, Thailand – the rest of Europe. Budapest, all around the USA like Yellowstone and all of the major cities. Barcelona. Madrid 3 times. Segovia. Paris, Milan, The Italian Lakes.
I dont have a bucket list. I think my ex-wife was the one that wanted to go to Costa Rica. She was even more adventurous than me and moved to London with a suitcase and a mountain bike on her own.
I will not bore anybody with anymore stories. But… pick the right time of year and Chicago is a great city to visit. Baha peninsula is magical if you stay away from the resorts that the Yank developers turned into tourist traps.
I will be very interested to hear what Sharpy says Costa Rica is like now as 30 years since I was there is a long time and things change.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also Sharpy: you should watch out for your lad getting the travel bug or he might end up like me 🙂 I once hitch-hiked from Munich to Newcastle – that’s 1,000 miles. I took a ferry so I didnt swim across the channel 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was 20. I think me Mam would have pissed her pants if I had told her. I said I got the bus. Wasnt a lie. I got the bus from Newcastle to Seaton Burn which is 6 miles north. The other 994 miles I hitch hiked.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I don’t want to come across as one of those people who were the only one to have a kid or anything like that – I’m really not that guy.
I know Ice has gone through it with Pup & his grandkids even.
I know it’s part of life – it’s just crept up on me quick that’s all. I think it’s been magnified by COVID lock downs too – in that he was obviously at home for large periods – so the thought of 4 weeks with no contact is just horrible.
It’s a head & heart thing, but I’d never stop him coz it’s an amazing opportunity & he will truly love it.
If that means he gets a travel bug then so be it .. til it happens that is 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Never apologize for being an amazing Dad Sharpy. I can tell you are, just like I can tell Kimtoon is an amazing Mam.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpster – your lad will have so many memories at such a young age. What an experience that will be. I didnt really do much until i was like 18 and went to Munich. Costa Rica at 15 for a month, fan, fcn tastic. They all take those selfie things now as I mentioned before.
I am going to Baha California at age 59 so I dont have any complaints about my life 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Finally – Bruno for Brazil on 59 mins.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – thanks mate, but I’m not sure about amazing. I totally agree re Kimtoon though 👍🏻
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well that was a strange watch that Brazil match. They wore the colours but it certainly wasn’t Samba style football we’re used to seeing.
They are still great to watch though – technically unbelievable players & pleased Bruno got some game time – love that kid already.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Southgate has to rest Kane, right? We have a million midfielders and if Kane is going to drop in there anyway why not play Callum?
Then we can choose from – Grealish, Mount, Sterling, Foden, Bellingham, Gallagher, Maddison, Saka, as attacking midfielders.
Plus Tripps and Shaw like to play as wingers anyway.
I still think Kane is our best player but with his spaghetti ankles you have to take care of him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Andrew R: I would take Christain Pulusic for 35 million in a heartbeat.
IN A HEARTBEAT!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I haven’t been on Ed’s blog for like a month. I cant be bothered to go on there to see if they are still arguing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
missed nowt mate they are still at it
icedog(Quote)
We need 4 wingers we have 2 Maxi and Miggy
Pulusic, Trossard, Diaby, Mudryk etc. take your pick
So long as we get one in January
PremAndUp(Quote)
I reckon 3 nil to England. But I also thought we would beat the USA.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Iceman: It is like that guy from the Toon Review. He could pick a fight with a ribbit and complain that it ran away. And then tell you about all of his problems.
Eric Sykes(Quote)