CHELSEA suffered a double blow to their Champions League hopes as they lost the game and their striker at St James’ Park.
European rivals Newcastle played the Blues off the park in the first half as Nicolas Jackson‘s moment of madness saw him shown a straight red card for an elbow on Sven Botman.
Chelsea lost 2-0 to Newcastle[/caption]
Sandro Tonali put Newcastle 1-0 up inside two minutes[/caption]
Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the first half[/caption]
Newcastle opened the scoring with a Sandro Tonali goal after just two minutes, making it difficult for Chelsea to fight their way back into the game.
It was made harder by Jackson’s elbow to Sven Botman’s head that meant Enzo Maresca‘s side played the majority of the match with just 10 men.
Bruno Guimaraes scored a stunning 90th minute screamer to make it 2-0 and hand a huge blow to Chelsea’s European hopes.
It’s advantage Newcastle in the Champions League race now as they put three points between themselves and Chelsea who could now end the day outside the top five.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Hall rated every Chelsea star’s performance at St James’ Park…
Robert Sanchez – 6
It’s rare that Robert Sanchez isn’t one of the main reasons that Chelsea have been on the receiving end of a defeat, but he didn’t do an awful lot wrong today.
The shot-stopper wasn’t peppered with shots, but did enough when faced with efforts you would expect him to save.
Moises Caicedo – 5
The Chelsea Player of the Season didn’t track Sandro Tonali’s run into the box in the opening exchanges that gave Newcastle the early lead.
You can offer the caveat that he was playing out of position, but the makeshift right-back was chasing shadows for most of the game as Anthony Gordon got the better of their 1v1 battle.
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He looked much more comfortable when slotting into midfield in possession, but didn’t do the main part of his job – defending – very well at all.
He was shifted back into midfield for the second half after Reece James‘ substitution and looked much better with the ball at his feet.
Very lucky not be be booked for making FIVE fouls.
Moises Caicedo lost his first-half battle with Anthony Gordon[/caption]
Trevoh Chalobah – 7
You have to wonder why Chelsea ever let Chalobah leave on loan to Crystal Palace.
Since returning he has become a crucial part of their back line and he was one of few players who could hold their head up high in the first half after making some crucial blocks and vital tackles.
He also looked comfortable on the ball at times in the second spell before he was replaced by Malo Gusto as Mareca tried to change things up.
Levi Colwill – 5
Not the best showing from the young centre-back who was more a reflection of how Chelsea played as a whole than anything.
He did make a crucial tackle inside the area to prevent Harvey Barnes from having free reign at Sanchez’ net in 73rd minute.
Marc Cucurella – 5
Drew a strong save out of Nick Pope in the second half in what was one of very few positive moments for Chelsea.
The Spaniard had plenty of space down the left flank at times, but with Jackson sent off he had nobody to aim for in the box.
He’s had a great season for the Blues this term, but this was one of his weaker performances – by no means the worst performer on the day though.
Marc Cucurella had no support down the left flank[/caption]
Romeo Lavia – 4
You’d be forgiven for thinking he wasn’t on the pitch in the first half the way that Newcastle’s midfielders were just bypassing him.
But he saw much more of the ball in the second half when Chelsea’s overall play improved massively.
He’s still only 21 and there’s definitely signs that he can be a top player, but when he’s surrounded by a malfunctioning group of megastars you can see why he might struggle.
Hooked on 75 mins for Jadon Sancho.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Probably the best midfielder for Chelsea on the day, but that wasn’t a hard rask given the state of the performances.
The Blues spent over £200m on Caicedo and Fernandez and neither of them looked close to their price tags today.
They need to step up in the big moments – this was a huge game for the club’s Champions League hopes.
Cole Palmer – 4
Maybe we all jumped the gun when we said that a 96th minute penalty had turned Cole Palmer’s season around against Liverpool last weekend.
The England star still seems to be struggling to play the free-flowing football that got everyone excited last season this term.
It doesn’t help that Palmer was forced to play as a false nine for the second half following Nicolas Jackson’s moment of madness.
Still though, he’s a shadow of his former self – typified by his ballooned attempt at a first time cross in the 80th minute.
Cole Palmer struggled to influence the game once again[/caption]
Pedro Neto – 5
Had Chelsea’s only bright spark in the first half when he used his pace to break down the wing and test the athleticism of Newcastle’s back line.
But like the rest of Chelsea’s attack, he had very little real impact on the game.
He cost Chelsea £55m in the summer and has managed just four goals in 33 Premier League outings this season – he needs to offer more.
Noni Madueke – 4
Offered very little as Chelsea were put under the cosh in the first half by Newcastle.
Sometimes he feels like he is too much of a luxury player to be working in such a well-drilled system like Maresca’s.
Fell victim to the tactical half-time switch for Reece James following the Nicolas Jackson red card.
Nicolas Jackson – 1
Mindless decision to raise his elbow and plough straight into the face of Sven Botman in the first half.
VAR were right to send John Brooks to the monitor and make sure that he brandished a red card.
Jackson will now miss the rest of the season which, coupled with Chstopher Nkunku’s injury, leaves the Blues without a striker as they try and earn a spot back in the Champions League.
Jackson now has more cards (4) thank goal contributions (3) in the Premier League in 2025.
Enzo Maresca has every right to be fuming.
Nicolas Jackson was sent off for hitting Sven Botman in the head with his elbow[/caption]
SUBS
Reece James (for Madueke, 45min) – 5
Had to come on to help change the system following the red card decision.
Didn’t have much of an influence on proceedings as Chelsea struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities.
Jason Sancho (for Lavia, 75min) – 5
A few nice moments on the ball, but should be doing more when he’s brought on to make a difference.
Malo Gusto (for Chalobah, 75min) – 4
Did very little in the time he was given on the pitch.