Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle: Messy Mags now five without a win after chaotic display

Another defeat for Newcastle United as Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners at Stamford Bridge, making it five Premier League games without a win for the Toon.

Our run without a goal from open play in almost seven hours was ended by Alexander Isak, but we were second best all afternoon as we struggled to click in attack, chased shadows in midfield and were wide open at the back as their pace and movement caused havoc.

There were some improvements in the second half, but it was a performance lacking in organisation, identity or any real belief and another defeat at the start of a big week in our season, with Chelsea (in the cup) and Arsenal to follow in back-to-back games at St James’ Park. We need to see a response, not just from underperforming individuals but the overall set up and approach from Eddie Howe.

The result leaves us 12th and four points from the European places, with today’s defeat a missed chance to gain on our top-six rivals after Aston Villa, Spurs, Man Utd and Brighton all failed to win this weekend.

Howe made two changes and one of them was enforced, as a groin issue for Anthony Gordon kept him out. In came Miguel Almiron and Harvey Barnes, with Jacob Murphy dropping to the bench.

STARTING XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Barnes.

SUBS: Vlachodimos, Willock, Ruddy, Osula, Miley, Kelly, Krafth, Murphy, Longstaff.

Chelsea made a fast start and thought they’d take a 1-0 lead after four minutes, only for VAR to cancel out Cole Palmer’s finish as he was shown to be inches offside. A huge let-off and early wake-up call after escaping what would’ve been a disastrous start.

10 minutes later, Bruno was clearly tripped as he burst into the box from Isak’s lay-off. It was a blatant trip from Colwill that was missed by the ref, but the fact it was outside the box and ‘not a red card offence’ meant VAR could not intervene.

It should’ve been a free kick on the edge of the box and a yellow card at the very minimum, yet instead it was Chelsea who cut us open and took the lead just moments later. Palmer’s stunning pass set Neto away down their left, Schar’s lunging tackle took him out of the game and Burn was nowhere to be seen as Neto’s cut-back was fired home by Jackson. 1-0.

Schar then went into the book for a blatant trip on Palmer, who was running the game, bypassing our midfield at will and finding runners in Jackson and Neto; who must’ve been licking their lips as we insisted on a high-line without nearly enough protection from our midfield three.

A lot of talk before the game centred around our on-the-ball issues and struggle for goals, yet it was arguably our lack of organisation off-the-ball and the ease in which Chelsea played through us that was the most concerning factor half an hour in.

Then, after over seven hours without a goal from open play, we finally found one and a route back into a game that was threatening to run away from us as Alexander Isak tapped in from close range after some great work from Livramento, Joelinton, Barnes and Hall in the build up. A big goal after a brutal start to the game, a massive moment for Isak after a tough patch for the Swede and a huge roar from the away end after VAR found no fault with the goal after checking for offside.

Pope made a good stop before the break to stop Neto’s deflected effort then punched clear the resulting corner. It felt like the flow of the game would have to change if we were to come away with something, but it was also vital we got into the break level after spending most of the first 45 chasing shadows.

Just 70 seconds into the second half, Chelsea regained their lead and it was such a soft one to concede. Not for the first time in recent weeks, Isak didn’t do enough to hold up the ball, allowing Chelsea to break. Palmer led the attack, was able to carry the ball unchallenged up to the edge of the box and struck a low shot past Pope; who should’ve done better at his near post. 2-1.

Howe prepared changes just over the hour mark and we needed them. Barnes had offered next to nothing, Almiron was his usual self – energy but no end product – Isak was isolated and our midfield balance was lacking. The three changes saw Willock, Longstaff and Murphy all come on, with Barnes, Almiron and Tonali – who’d just been booked – making way.

We had chances to draw level. Isak’s close range header was blocked on the line and the Swede missed a huge opportunity to make it 2-2, failing to get his shot off or square to Joelinton just as a near-certain goal beckoned. What a waste. What was he thinking?!

At the other end, Pope made a big stop to deny Mudryk making it 3-1 and Howe made more changes to find an equaliser, seeing Osula and Kelly come on in Joelinton and Hall’s place in one final throw of the dice.

VAR rightfully denied Chelsea a penalty after Nkunku threw himself to the floor after minimal contact from Burn, but it didn’t matter in the end as we fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Next up, another meeting with Chelsea on Wednesday – this time in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park – followed by a home tie with Arsenal next Saturday.