Tonali, Kelly and the Newcastle press – Key takeaways from Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea

Newcastle United sauntered to victory in the Carabao Cup last 16 beating Chelsea 2-0 and extracting a modicum of revenge from the Londoners following defeat in the Premier League last weekend.

A first half goal from Isak and a Disasi own goal secured passage to the Quarter finals, setting up a winnable tie with Brentford at St. James’ Park the week commencing the 16th of December.

Here are our five key takeaways from the game:

  1. The Joy of the Newcastle United Press

In a much-needed performance (especially the first 45 mins) and victory it was like rolling back the clock to 2022/23 watching some of United’s pressing. The Chelsea backline and goalkeeper, whilst neat and tidy, rarely found a way out of the press with any great effect, and the relentless running allowed Tonali to grab an assist via a high pressing challenge in the 23rd min.

Three minutes later and the trick was repeated as United overran the Chelsea midfield (which included a £105m World Cup winning midfielder by the way) winning a freekick which was smartly worked by Hall and Isak to grab a two-goal cushion via an O.G.

Chelsea struggled to cope with United’s pressing and were incredibly fortunate to go into the break with just a two-goal deficit. It was a fantastic display with all the hallmarks of the team under Howe, which we have come to adore, and fairly, wondered where it had gone on multiple occasions this season.

  1. Tonali as a ‘No.6’ 

The Italian turned in one of his best performances in Black and White, and it’s no surprise he did it in the deeper six position he often occupied at AC Milan. He’s rapid, always looking to pop the ball off quickly, recycling possession and he looked to relish the extra responsibility of being the deeper of the midfield three.

He was part of a midfield three that restricted Chelsea to very little in terms of clear-cut opportunities and his recovery speed came in handy against N’kunku, when the Frenchman tried to drop into midfield and sprint beyond the backline.

Capping off the display with an assist it was also refreshing to see him on set pieces and whilst there is still work to do – it was his cross in the second half which led to Longstaff thinking he had added a third, only for the lineman to raise his flag.

  1. Kelly at CB

This pick from Howe almost brought a tear to my eye as I was delighted to see Kelly start at CB with Hall, and Schar on either side of him at LB and RCB, respectively. Kelly was positionally sound; reflected by Chelsea’s one big chance arriving after he was shifted out to LB and replaced by Dan Burn, allowing Joao Felix to poke just wide in the only real heart in mouth moment for the crowd.

His recovery pace (mentioned twice I know but it was important) permitted him to press the Chelsea forwards into midfield (as we tried and failed to do on Sunday) and still recover even when he was spun. He played an integral part in securing the clean sheet as United looked to conserve energy in the second half and sat a bit deeper to nullify any real Chelsea threat.

Howay the lads.

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