Absolutely huge! - Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
A potentially massive moment in Newcastle United's season as Eddie Howe's Mags secured their first win at Chelsea since 2012 on Saturday night.
After starting in second gear, an Anthony Gordon goal against the run of play was followed by 75 minutes of resolute defending, as we stood strong, stayed organised and put bodies on the line to see out a vital three points at Stamford Bridge.
The perfect moment to deliver a massive win, not only giving us a lift on the road ahead of Wednesday's trip to the Nou Camp, but pushing us up the Premier League table heading into next Sunday's Tyne and Wear derby.
Our biggest away win of a tough season - our fourth in our last five in all competitions - and our first clean sheet since that January victory over PSV, with the victory sending us up to 9th. Six behind Chelsea, two behind Brentford (for now), one behind Everton (who lost late at Arsenal), above the Mackems and a Bournemouth side who dropped points at Burnley in the 3pm kick-off.
Considering our recent schedule, the rotation, the absence of all three of our first choice midfielders and the importance of this match in our bid to get back in the race for those European spots, this was absolutely huge and one of Howe's great away wins as manager.
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale - Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall - Willock, Ramsey, Woltemade - Murphy, Gordon, Barnes.Substitutes: Pope, Ruddy, Trippier, Joelinton, Wissa, Osula, Elanga, Burn, A.Murphy.
Chelsea XI: Sánchez - Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella - Caicedo, James - Palmer, Enzo, Garnacho - João Pedro.
We made six changes from our midweek draw with Barcelona, seeing Sven Botman, Tino Livramento, Joe Willock, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon replace Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Elanga and Will Osula.
It meant for an unbalanced-looking midfield trio of Woltemade (LCM), Ramsey (CM) and Willock (RCM), while Tonali's absence was illness-related, as he became the latest Mag to pick up a bug after recent issues for Ramsey, Gordon and Woltemade.
With Burn, Trippier and Bruno all out of the side, Murphy captained a Newcastle side who looked far too passive from the off. We were sitting off, our energy levels weren't quite there and we were lucky to remain level after 15 minutes, with Palmer firing a big chance wide, Fofana heading over and Enzo having a goal-bound shot fortunately blocked by his own player.
Then, out of the blue, we struck, scoring with our first shot of the match on 18 minutes. Willock burst clean through on goal from Tino's pass and laid it on a plate for Gordon, who took tapped into an empty net for his 16th of the season. Against the run of play, but shocking defending from Chelsea that we took full advantage of and the early boost we needed after a poor start to the game.
Anthony Gordon puts Newcastle in front at Stamford Bridge! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/irIVYFwDIy
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 14, 2026
That goal gave us confidence and we quickly got two Chelsea players into the book, as Fofana brought down Gordon before Woltemade was taken out by Caicedo after a positive burst forward from the big German, who was slowly growing into the game after a quiet start.
Then came the latest stonewall penalty we've been denied against Chelsea. James only had eyes for Thiaw and pulled down the centre-back from a corner, the game stopped for a VAR check and it was somehow waved away. More shambolic refereeing, which is becoming a weekly occurrence now, and an error that had the potential to cost us precious points.
Chelsea had enjoyed 67% of the ball and 10 shots to our two, but we looked comfortable heading into the break, with the only mini scare a Palmer shot that was saved comfortably by Ramsdale, who had been noticeably quicker off his line in this one, punching or claiming a few dangerous crosses.
Rosenior made a decisive change at the break, replacing right-back Gusto with former Toon target Liam Delap, giving the home side some added physicality up front as they looked to pin us back and pile on some early pressure. However, it was Newcastle who had the first clear opening, only for Murphy to waste a big chance on the counter as his pass to Gordon was overhit, not for the first time.
The game was on a knife edge. Chelsea were there to be got at on the break, but they were starting to put sustained pressure on our box, with Botman and Thiaw blocks, along with a few brave headers, proving key to deter shots away from Ramsdale's goal.
Shortly after a penalty check for his challenge on Palmer, Woltemade was taken off with 25 minutes remaining, seeing Joelinton come on, despite a toe issue, to help get us over the line. And we almost made it 2-0 moments later, as Gordon let fly after shifting the ball on the edge of the box, forcing Sanchez into an acrobatic save to keep us just one ahead.
After yet another vital intervention from Thiaw, who had been superb alongside Botman, Howe made a double change with 10 minutes remaining. Dan Burn and Anthony Elanga came on to replace a limping Willock and tiring Murphy, seeing us move to a back five, with Joelinton partner Ramsey in midfield flanked by Barnes and Elanga.
Gordon was an isolated figure at this stage, but our stand-in striker was doing a great job late on, winning a number of fouls to keep the clock ticking down as we entered eight minutes of added time. On the subject of free-kicks, Joelinton gave away a clumsy one in added time and it almost cost us, as James' wicked shot clipped the right side of the post and bounced away, going inches away from making it 1-1 at the death.
And that was that. A huge effort, brilliant defensive display and giant win in the context of our season, handing us our first victory at Stamford Bridge since Papiss Cisse's wondergoal in almost 15 years ago! Sky didn't think much of it, switching straight to Arsenal rather than cover any of the post-match scenes or interviews, but all that really matters is the win, which was one of our biggest on the road in a long, long time!
Next up, a huge trip to Barcelona on Wednesday before we welcome Sunderland at home next Sunday, fresh from their 1-0 defeat to Brighton earlier today.
Keep the faith. Howay the lads!
🤣 Look at Jacob Murphy! #NUFC #CFC
— NUFC Blog (@NUFCBlogcouk) March 14, 2026
