A frustrating night at Stamford Bridge, as Newcastle made too many errors on and off the ball in a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea. Here’s my marks out of 10 from last night’s defeat in West London:
Dubravka – 4/10 – Poor communication for Jackson’s goal and was sat on his backside twice, the latter time resulting in a Mudryk goal. A few decent stops but didn’t inspire confidence and was slow to react for their opener.
Livramento – 7/10 – Looked bright down our right, containing Sterling and bursting part Cucurella a few times. Moved to left-back late on after Burn was forced off. An able deputy to Trippier and our bright spark pretty dismal night.
Schar – 4/10 – Was caught too square as Mudryk burst past him to make it 3-1. Far too casual at times and barely put a tackle in.
Botman – 3/10 – Poor defensive choices led to Chelsea’s opener as Sven did not talk to Dubravka and shanked a clearance straight to Palmer. Was also turned very easily in the build-up to Chelsea’s third. Looked way off the pace, but wasn’t protected.
Burn – 4/10 – Ran ragged by an in-form Palmer, but didn’t do enough to close him down in key moments. Never got close to him and also sliced the ball out moments before their second. On crucial block on the line, but a bad night in the main. Forced off after landing awkwardly on his back.
Bruno – 6/10 – Played a beauty of a pass for Isak’s leveller but waned in influence as the game went on and was easily dispossessed before being subbed.
Longstaff – 3/10 – Felt invisible for much of the game and looked like he was carrying bags of sand in his boots. So sloppy on the ball, gave it away cheaply too often and wanted too much time in possession. Offered so little in and out of possession and lacked desire at times. Not sure if he’s still playing with an injury, but it looks that way.
Willock – 5/10 – Progresses the ball well with his pace and positivity, but still not 100% match fit so his performance was hampered. Looked rusty.
Almiron – 4/10 – Largely ineffective on the right and then fashioned one or two chances on the left when he switched sides. Tracked Gusto better than Gordon but lacked quality. Withdrawn for Anderson with 20 mins to go.
Isak – 6/10 – His moment of class to bring the game level was one of very few moments of quality from us in the game. But he was unable to trouble the back line any more than that and wasted a good chance on the break at 1-1, underhitting a simple pass to Almiron.
Gordon – 5/10 – Was a muted display before being replaced by Murphy 10 minutes before half-time with a knee injury. Here’s hoping it’s not too serious.
Murphy (36’) – 6.5/10 – Played some searching balls into the box after replacing Gordon and scored a thumping consolation in the 90th minute.
Krafth (69’) – 5/10 – Came on for Burn; the third goal came down his side.
Anderson (69’) – 5/10 – Replaced Almiron. Struggled to make any impact down our left.
Miley (81’) – Looked much sharper than Longstaff.
White (81’) – Added some enthusiasm to our tiring midfield.
The euphoria of Schar’s performance against Wolverhampton who had no proper attackers on the pitch was quickly dented by Mudryk who was far too good.
Botman was awful again, not getting out quickly enough as if sleepwalking and the gaps between him and Burn who lack pace was evident again.
Dubravka not one of his better nights and the only defender to come out with any credit was Livramento.
The midfield was totally inept, one good pass from Bruno hardly makes a summer and how long can Longstaff justify his position in the team aimlessly running around with no purpose Willock wasn’t much better.
Almiron bar one decent shot was again very poor, does he know how to cross a ball?
Murphy at least put in some decent crosses and showed some degree of skill.
Isak is a talent but being starved of a decent service from midfielders and wingers including Gordon who is too predictable cutting so will find it difficult to have an impact with that type of support.
This group of players have too many off days especially away from home, they just don’t turn up!
Couldn’t imagine Klopp or Pep putting up with that type of gutless performance.
Joseph(Quote)
Someone else marking the result instead of the performances.
I’m curious to know – with your wealth of goalkeeping expertise do you think Dubravka should have started his dive before the ball got to Bruno? Or how about when it got to Jackson? Or Botman? Or Schar?
Problem is you are so quick to blame Dubravka but you obviously know nothing about being a keeper.
Then you give Bruno a 6? He was asleep for most of the match, having his pocket picked loads of times, but he payed one good pass!
Load of bolFlocks.
BykerBill(Quote)
Its coming apart at the seams, Howe has to realise he is causing bad feelings from the fans to his favourites by keeping on playing them? They look like they are carrying injuries their confidence will be shot, you have a squad use them, give others a chance Ritchie, Dummett could have replaced Burn and Longstaff. Botman still not recovered use Krafth?
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)
Apparently Longstaff still getting scans and injections on his ankle so if that’s the case why play him when you’ve got Anderson and Miley know the injuries haven’t helped our season but some players haven’t reached there form of last season
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Wow Bruno a 6, the only thing he did in the game was that one pass stop being a sycophant!
Only Livramento, Isak and Murphy score above 5 for me. Gordon and Dubravka both 5’s, the rest 3’s and 4’s.
David(Quote)