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…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/10/27/chelsea-2-1-newcastle-what-has-happened-to-eddie-howes-mags/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2024-10-27 16:21:22
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