Match Report: Feeble Chelsea continue their spiral with weak 1-0 defeat to Newcastle | OneFootball

Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at home by Newcastle in another hammer blow to their Champions League aspirations.

The farce began before kick off, when referee Paul Tierney stood his ground in the centre circle and allowed Chelsea to form their pre-match huddle around him.

The game started well for the home team, but just as the Blues looked to be getting into gear and creating some chances, they conceded perhaps the worst goal they have all season.

An attempt to press Newcastle broke down horribly, leaving players out of position all over the pitch. Joe Willock was left with the whole middle of the pitch to charge through, and Anthony Gordon was on hand to finish the chance off.

After that Newcastle sat deep and it was down to Chelsea to attack them – but in the end it was 70 minutes of sideways football and rising frustration.

MOTM – Reece James

Analysis

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Newcastle were the ones with it all to play for in the Champions League and not much hope of making the top 5. They’ve got a terrible record and Stamford Bridge and were without their entire first choice midfield.

Yet Chelsea made it easy for them – they defended terribly for the goal, then attacked for 70 minutes without any real threat. While the draws with Leeds and Burnley were bad for our points total, this was perhaps more worrying simply because of how badly we played.

Teams

Chelsea Robert Sanchez Malo Gusto Wesley Fofana Trevoh Chalobah Marc Cucurella Reece James Moises Caicedo Cole Palmer Enzo Fernandez Alejandro Garnacho Joao Pedro

Substitutes Teddy Sharman-Lowe Tosin Adarabioyo Benoit Badiashile Liam Delap (s 46′) Andrey Santos Mamadou Sarr Jorrel Hato (s 82′) Marc Guiu Romeo Lavia (s 61′)

Newcastle Aaron Ramsdale Valentino Livramento Malick Thiaw Sven Botman Lewis Hall Joe Willock Jacob Ramsey Jacob Murphy Nick Woltemade Harvey Barnes Anthony Gordon

Substitutes Nick Pope John Ruddy Kieran Trippier de Lira Joelinton (s 67′) Yoane Wissa William Osula Anthony Elanga (s 78′) Dan Burn (s 77′) Alex Murphy

Stats

Quote of the game

“My players made a decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball” – Liam Rosenior drops a line that will haunt him over the centre circle huddles.