Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle: Gordon scores and Miley makes history in final day draw
A final day draw at Stamford Bridge for Eddie Howe's Mags, who were below their best but bound to be tired at the end of a simply stunning season.
The first half was full of missed chances - mostly from a wayward Miguel Almiron -, some superb breaks from Allan Saint-Maximin and a first Toon goal for Anthony Gordon, while the second petered out like a classic 'end of season' affair.
Lewis Miley came close to a dream Premier League debut, shaving the crossbar ten minutes to play, but Chelsea had two big chances to win it in the final few minutes and looked far more likely to win it, in the end.
It didn't matter in the end, as we can now look ahead to an exciting summer, with top-four secured and a team to be proud of. We've conceded just 33 goals all season - the joint lowest in the league alongside title-winners Man City - and lost only five times. Again, the only side able to match that tally are Guardiola's men. We've been so consistent all year and brilliant at both ends, with Toon trio Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron all reaching double figures. Sadly, though, the latter didn't have his shooting boots on today!
We were all over them early on, as the shambles at Chelsea from top to bottom was evident from the off. Isak forced an early save from Kepa and Saint-Maximin was running riot, but it was Gordon who gave us a lead, tapping in after Anderson's ball across the box picked him out perfectly.
Chelsea responded with a soft equaliser, seeing Trippier turn into his own net after we switched off and Sterling's ball across the box wasn't dealt with, but we had so many chances to retake the lead before the break. Almiron fired two big opportunities well wide and another straight at Kepa, with the superb Saint-Maximin having a goal-bound effort blocked well by Silva.
We had Dubravka to thank at the other end, as he made a big save to keep us level and deny Sterling, yet it was poor finishing and a failure to dispatch big openings on the counter that let us down, as Almiron reminded many why we remain on the lookout for a right-winger. He's had a great season, but today highlighted his limitations and overreliance on his left-foot.
We had plenty of motivation to go out and win it in the second half, as Man Utd were level with Fulham at the break. The game was there for us if our finishing improved, yet it seemed like we had one eye on a well-deserved break instead; and who could blame them. The lads didn't pose the same threat in the second 45, as Chelsea took control of the ball and looked the more likely; without testing Dubravka a great deal.
Saint-Maximin and Gordon had faded out of this one and both departed with just over 20 minutes remaining, seeing Wilson and Murphy come on in their place. We were limiting the hosts to shots from range, but beginning to look leggy and like a side who may have spent most of the week celebrating that top-four finish!
17-year-old talent Lewis Miley then came on for his top flight debut - becoming the youngest ever Mag to represent us in the Premier League. Burn also replaced a tiring Targett at left-back, but it was Miley who almost made the difference, seeing an edge of the box effort clip off the bar and out. So close to a dream debut and the closest we went in an otherwise flat second half display.
It didn't matter in the end. Man Utd were now leading at Old Trafford, securing third spot for them. It's been an incredible season and a humungous effort from all involved, with Howe's patched up squad missing seven or eight through injury bound to be tired and a few levels below their best today.
Chelsea should've won it at the death, as Burn was robbed in a dangerous area, allowing Sterling to set up Pulisic down the left. Thankfully, the USA international fired his effort too close to Dubravka, with Joao Felix also missing a big chance with his head moments later; two moments that summed up the lack of quality in the final third all afternoon!
A classic end of season encounter, but a game between two sides ending the season in very different positions. One on the up and into the Champions League, the other in a mess after finishing outside the top 10.
2022/23, it's been a pleasure! Here's to an exciting future and the return of Champions League football later this year. You've done us proud, lads.
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Gordon, Bruno, Anderson – Almiron, Isak, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Wilson, Lewis, Murphy, Ashby, Burn, Miley.
