Newcastle show the value of a gameplan as Chelsea go back to square one
The IndependentSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Losing at St James’ Park, especially since the Saudi money rolled in, is nothing to be ashamed of, but Newcastle United did not earn victory against Chelsea through any blistering display, roared on by 50,000 blood-hungry Geordies – Mauricio Pochettino’s team lost this encounter of their own accord. Two very early Christmas presents – Newcastle’s game-clinching third particularly gifted by Silva – in 90 second-half seconds reminded everyone just how far this Chelsea team still have to go. Firstly, Jamaal Lascelles was allowed to steal into the box and head a simple Anthony Gordon cross home before, 90 seconds later, on the day he became Chelsea’s oldest-ever outfield player, Silva seemed to stub his foot into the ground, allowing fellow countryman Joelinton in to latch onto the ball and stroke it into the net. open image in gallery Joelinton celebrates scoring Newcastle’s third goal Reece James’s dismissal for two bookable offences and Gordon’s late fourth ensured a miserable trip north became a potentially damaging one.