After a ferocious clash at kick-off at St James’s Park on Saturday, Chelsea fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
The West London side were well off the pace in the first half and fell behind just four minutes into the game when Nick Waltemade bundled the ball together after Robert Sanchez blocked Anthony Gordon’s shot. Waltemade then found space in the penalty area and doubled the hosts’ lead midway through the opening half.
However, the Blues looked like a completely different team after the interval. In the 49th minute, Reece James scored a spectacular free-kick into the back of the net, allowing the visitors to halve the home team’s advantage. And Joao Pedro took advantage of Malick Thiau’s slippage to raise the level of his team, scoring a goal. Both teams fought hard to find a winner, but in the end the points were shared.
Express Sport rates and predicts Chelsea players…
Chelsea vs Newcastle player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez: 7
Immediately after the opening goal, Gordon made a good save, but then went wide of the goal and was booked for protesting to the referee. He provided the assist for Chelsea’s equalizing goal with a quick, long forward kick that beat Pedro. He also made a number of decent saves.
Maro Gusto: 4
Just before the opening goal, the ball was hit by a winger at the far post, giving Gordon a terrible time. The Newcastle winger then went ground far too easily rather than chasing Gordon as he almost doubled the hosts’ advantage. He was sent off immediately after halftime.
Wesley Fofana: 4
In the build-up to the opening goal, the ball was taken away, allowing Wolte Maid to steal in and pass the ball past Sanchez for Magpies’ second goal. It was an afternoon to forget and we were lucky not to give away a penalty despite the ball hitting our hand inside the penalty area.
Trevor Chalobah: 5
It would be a shame that he was unable to clear the ball before Woltemade’s first strike, as he fluffed the line after Sanchez made the save from Gordon. He stomped his foot in frustration just before the half-time whistle and failed to make his usual impact in the heart of the backline in the second period, almost earning him a penalty.
Marc Cucurella: 4
The Newcastle man struggled to contain the threat of Jacob Murphy on Chelsea’s left flank as he was allowed to pass into the box. In the second half, as the team started to get back into the game, they looked like they were going to join Chelsea’s attack, but they lacked quality.
Reece James: 6
He struggled in midfield, but returned to right-back in the second half following the introduction of Enzo Fernandes. He has proven his technical qualities with some excellent free-kicks and could be an asset to the team if he plays on the right.
Moises Caicedo: 6
He has flourished for Chelsea this season, but looked lost in midfield in the first half, overwhelmed by Newcastle’s hard-working stars. Enzo Fernandes came into the midfield after the interval and we looked energized. The Blues almost scored their third goal.
Pedro Neto: 5
He lost the ball to his teammates in the final third, but was unable to contain it and maintain possession. The defense then looked exposed as they tracked back, giving Gordon too much space to slot the ball into the box for Woltemade’s second goal. He tried to put the ball into the net before half-time, but his attempt was ruled out.
Cole Palmer: 6
Chelsea found the back of the net early and had some early chances, but were forced out of the game by Newcastle’s more physical players for most of the first half. After the interval he became braver on the ball as he tried to create chances for his teammates.
Alejandro Garnacho: 6
After a terrible performance in the win over Everton a week ago, he was rewarded with two Carabao Cup goals against Cardiff in midweek, but was fortunate to avoid a red card for a challenge on Jacob Ramsey. They showed occasional sparks of energy and were dangerous in the second period, but were guilty of missing a number of chances.
João Pedro: 7
He was an isolated figure up front as Chelsea struggled to get the ball rolling before the break. But he showed how good he is at goals. He is a quality player and will flourish in the team if Maresca can get him more involved in the game.
replacement
Enzo Fernandes: 6
When midfield partner Moises Caicedo replaced Maro Gusto after the break 10 minutes after the break, the Blues were in better shape with the 2022 World Cup winners on the pitch.
Andrei Santos: 6
Cole Palmer got in on the action late on as he made way.
