Newcastle United’s failure to sign a centre-back in the summer came back to haunt them at Stamford Bridge.
And there was no shortage of irony in the capital as unused substitute Tosin Adarabioyo warmed the bench on a day in which Newcastle lacked solidity at key times. United’s centre-backs Fabian Schar and Dan Burn knocked off in both halves to allow Chelsea’s star-studded frontline two of the easiest goals they will score this season.Tosin was taunted and labelled “greedy” by United fans as he warmed up in the first half and smirked as he passed by the Newcastle bench in the first half. However, the truth is the Magpies could have done with the ex-Fulham man and if it was down to money, was it a mistake not paying him his demands.
Newcastle had hauled themselves back into the game either side of Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer’s strikes thanks to Alexander Isak’s first goal for weeks. Unfortunately, this was a case of what might have been once again for Eddie Howe’s side.
Chelsea had the game’s first real chance with just three minutes gone when Noni Madueke got free inside the box and fired one straight at Nick Pope. Moments later, Cole Palmer was threaded through the middle and while his shot beat Nick Pope it was later ruled offside after a VAR check.
The Magpies registered their first attempt at goal when Bruno Guimaraes’ deflected effort was gathered by Robert Sanchez between the posts for Chelsea. A corner on 13 minutes then handed United more encouragement but Lewis Hall’s set-piece had too much pace on it and the home side cleared their lines.If Palmer’s strike being chalked off was a warning it wasn’t heeded by United. On 18 minutes Pedro Neto skipped past Fabian Schar before rolling the ball across the penalty area for Nicolas Jackson to apply the finish and nudge the home side ahead.
Schar was then shown the yellow card a few minutes later for a foul on England star Palmer as Newcastle tried to stamp authority on a game that was rapidly slipping away from them. The Magpies carved an opening in the 27th minute with the move culminating in Miguel Almiron’s curling effort being patted down by Sanchez.
Hall’s corner on the half-hour mark found Alexander Isak at the front post but it was always rising and nestled harmlessly in the stand behind the goal. But seconds later Isak was celebrating after great work from Tino Livramento to carry the ball forward and exchange passes with Joelinton.
Harvey Barnes then threaded a pass to Hall who crossed perfectly for Isak to poke home from close range. It was the type of cross he has been crying out for in recent games and it ended Newcastle’s long wait without a goal from open play.
There was a nervous wait after a VAR check but the goal stood and Newcastle were good value at that stage to be level in the game. Pope pulled off a fine save to deny Neto four minutes before the break after the Portugal international’s curling shot was whipped in at pace from outside the box.
The two sides went in level at the break despite Chelsea edging possession but the story of the half was Newcastle’s recovery after a ropey start.
You got the feeling this game would be decided by the way either side started the second half. Newcastle attempted to start positively but after Livramento’s pass to Isak was intercepted by Reece James, Romeo Lavia pinched the ball, Palmer was allowed to run unchallenged from just outside the centre circle to the edge of the box before lashing the ball past Pope.
For Newcastle, this was the worst start imaginable to the second half against a Chelsea side that doesn’t need favours like that. Despite the setback, Newcastle dusted themselves down and were pushing for a second equaliser as the game drifted past the hour mark.
The Magpies were handed a great chance to level when Hall was fouled near the edge of the area on 66 minutes but Schar curled it high over the top.
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With 25 minutes left Howe decided to change things up when introducing Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. The former Arsenal midfielder quickly got in on the act and crossed for Isak with 20 minutes left but his header was hacked clear by James.
Isak got free of Wesley Fofana and Sanchez after a lightning quick run down the right but then fluffed his line in the box – much to Howe’s fury. As he weighed up whether to shoot or cross the ball, he lost the ball at the decisive moment.
Howe’s anger and frustration was evident in the dugout as he screamed: “What are you doing?” Chelsea then saw Mykhailo Mudryk’s effort blocked by Pope as they looked to secure the three points.
Newcastle handed William Osula a late cameo with the £15m striker going on with Lloyd Kelly for the last throes of the game. Hooper pointed to the spot in the 90th minute after Burn was adjudged to have pulled back Christopher Nkunku.
After a VAR check and a look at the screen he overturned his own initial decision. That left Newcastle with six minutes of added time to try to salvage a point.
Newcastle pushed until the final stages with a late corner even seeing Pope head into the penalty area to make his presence felt. But Chelsea had done enough with sloppy defensive work and missed chances costing Newcastle dear.
After slipping into the bottom half of the table over the weekend, that’s where they will stay as we head into November. Chelsea subs and staff sprinted on to the pitch to celebrate at the end to rub further salt into the wounds.