Chelsea suffered a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon and ended the game with 10 men. The Blues were coming off the back of three consecutive away wins but couldn’t overcome their St James’ Park hoodoo.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were in good form recently, beating Tottenham away and drawing with Manchester City at home. But Chelsea have now lost five of their 13 Premier League games this season.
Chelsea recovered in the first half
The Blues fell behind early on, with Alexander Isak firing into the far corner after statuesque defending in the box. Players were queuing up outside the area and Marc Cucurella played Isak onside, so it was a catalogue of errors.
Chelsea did respond through a brilliant Raheem Sterling freekick in the 23rd minute, however. He side-footed an effort over the ball and into the back of the net to make it five league goals for the season.
Joelinton should have given Newcastle the lead, but he somehow headed a close-range effort wide of the post. Chelsea then came close themselves with a fierce Enzo Fernandez effort forcing a diving save from Nick Pope.
Kieran Tripper then nearly found the top corner with a freekick, but his effort clipped the crossbar. The two sides went into the break level, but Chelsea’s luck would run out after the restart.
Pochettino’s men fell apart
On the hour mark, Newcastle regained the lead. Anthony Gordon was allowed to cut inside and float a cross from deep for Jamaal Lascelles to head home.
A minute later, the Magpies doubled their lead after an uncharacteristic Thiago Silva mistake. He dithered in possession and Joelinton stole the ball before finishing from close range.
Reece James would be sent off for two yellow cards to compound Chelsea’s problems. He was booked for kicking the ball away and for pulling a player back.
The game was then put to bed in the 83rd minute through Gordon who was a menace all afternoon. He beat the offside trap, cut inside to work a shot, then fired into the bottom corner.
Bad day at the office for Chelsea
Chelsea had lost six of their last 10 away meetings to Newcastle before the weekend, but Saturday was disappointing.
The result leaves Pochettino’s men 10th in the table with 16 points from 13 games. They’ve won only one of their last five outings and are at risk of being overtaken by the sides below.
Next up for the Blues is Brighton & Hove Albion at home on Sunday, December 3. But Chelsea have failed to win their last five at Stamford Bridge while Brighton have the fourth-best away record….
In other news, Mauricio Pochettino gave an injury update on Christopher Nkunku
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