Newcastle Thrash Chelsea 4-1 At St James’ Park
Second-half goals from Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon helped Newcastle return to winning ways in the Premier League with an emphatic victory over Chelsea at St James’ Park.
Lascelles’ free header from Gordon’s cross gave the Magpies a 2-1 lead on the hour mark, before Joelinton capitalised on a Thiago Silva error to double the hosts’ advantage just 90 seconds later.
And Gordon netted his fifth of the season with seven minutes remaining to put the seal on a comprehensive victory for Newcastle, who lost at Bournemouth in their previous match.
Fit-again Alexander Isak had opened the scoring in an entertaining first half, sending a composed finish beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from 17-year-old Lewis Miley’s threaded pass.
Raheem Sterling’s delightful free-kick restored parity 10 minutes later, but Chelsea were architects of their own downfall in the second half as Lascelles and Joelinton put the game out of reach for the Blues.
They were reduced to 10 men when Reece James was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Gordon, before the former Everton man completed the scoring late on.
Newcastle’s fifth straight home league win moves them to within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham, while Chelsea remain just inside the top half.
Newcastle fell below their recent high standards at Bournemouth before the international break, but the 2-0 defeat at Vitality Stadium must be viewed in the context of the Magpies’ personnel woes and a gruelling run of fixtures that included games against Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
Though Eddie Howe’s list of injury absentees remains a worry, his team looked more like their usual selves against Chelsea as they pressed their opponents high up the pitch and deservedly forced an early breakthrough.
They shot themselves in the foot in the build-up to the Blues’ equaliser, however, Lascelles cheaply surrendering possession to Nicolas Jackson before Trippier was penalised for a faint nudge on Sterling, who beat Pope with his free-kick.
Joelinton headed wide from an unmarked position and Kieran Trippier rattled the crossbar with a free-kick of his own, but Lascelles made amends for his first-half error by steering Gordon’s inswinging delivery into the bottom corner.
The momentum was suddenly back with the home side and when Silva miscued a backpass to Sanchez, Joelinton was first to the loose ball and drilled beyond the Chelsea goalkeeper for his first Premier League goal of the season.
James’ late dismissal and Gordon’s calm finish were the icing on the cake for the Magpies, who travel to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Chelsea are heading in the right direction under Mauricio Pochettino, who was not in the dugout at St James’ Park after being shown his third yellow card of the season in the 4-4 draw with Manchester City two weeks ago.
But given Newcastle’s injuries, this will go down as a missed opportunity to increase the pressure on the teams occupying the Premier League’s European places.
The visitors had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, Conor Gallagher curling wide from the corner of the penalty area before Enzo Fernandez was denied by a one-handed Nick Pope save.
Gallagher should have done better when Pope’s mis-hit clearance landed at his feet, but his shot lacked the power to beat the Magpies goalkeeper.
In the second half, Lascelles was left completely unmarked for Newcastle’s second before Silva – who became Chelsea’s oldest outfield player at 39 years and 64 days – laid a third on a plate for Joelinton.
James’ red card was avoidable with the Blues skipper’s poor touch gifting possession to Gordon, who was then tugged back by the 23-year-old.
The final score may have been harsh on the visitors, but Newcastle were worthy winners.
