Newcastle took a big step towards a top-five finish and next season's Champions League by beating Chelsea 2-0 at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sandro Tonali's early opener ensured the hosts got off to the best possible start, and Chelsea struggled to respond in the aftermath as they succumbed to the Magpies' intensity with and without the ball. Newcastle were impressive without creating all that much, with Robert Sanchez rarely called into action.
Harvey Barnes and Bruno Guimaraes squandered no more than half-chances, while Dan Burn headed just wide after Nicolas Jackson was sent off for thrusting a forearm into the face of Sven Botman. That left Chelsea with a mountain to climb, but they responded well after half-time. Their best period of the contest resulted in Nick Pope producing an excellent save to deny a Marc Cucurella drive.
Newcastle were unable to wrestle back control, with Chelsea continuing to threaten despite their man disadvantage. Half-time arrival Reece James spurned a huge opportunity with his head in the closing stages, and the skipper's miss proved costly. Soon after, a deflected Bruno Guimaraes effort from range sealed the points for the hosts, who'll end the weekend in third spot.
Chelsea, meanwhile, risk sliding out of the top five. They'll be cheering on Leicester at the City Ground.
Newcastle player ratings (3-4-3)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Nick Pope | 8.1/10 |
CB: Fabian Schar | 7.0/10 |
CB: Sven Botman | 7.2/10 |
CB: Dan Burn | 8.0/10 |
RWB: Jacob Murphy | 8.1/10 |
CM: Bruno Guimaraes | 8.0/10 |
CM: Sandro Tonali | 8.1/10 |
LWB: Tino Livramento | 7.3/10 |
RW: Harvey Barnes | 6.9/10 |
ST: Alexander Isak | 6.5/10 |
LW: Anthony Gordon | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Lewis Miley (55' for Botman) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Emil Krafth (64' for Gordon) | 6.4/10 |
SUB: Callum Wilson (94' for Isak) | N/A |
SUB: Sean Longstaff (94' for Guimaraes) | N/A |
Subs not used: John Ruddy (GK), Martin Dubravka, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Neave, William Osula.
Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Robert Sanchez | 6.8/10 |
RB: Moises Caicedo | 7.4/10 |
CB: Trevoh Chalobah | 6.7/10 |
CB: Levi Colwill | 6.8/10 |
LB: Marc Cucurella | 6.2/10 |
CM: Romeo Lavia | 5.9/10 |
CM: Enzo Fernandez | 7.0/10 |
AM: Cole Palmer | 6.5/10 |
RW: Pedro Neto | 6.4/10 |
ST: Nicolas Jackson | 4.6/10 |
LW: Noni Madueke | 5.8/10 |
SUB: Reece James (46' for Madueke) | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Malo Gusto (74' for Chalobah) | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Jadon Sancho (75' for Lavia) | 6.4/10 |
Subs not used: Filip Jorgensen (GK), Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrique George.
Player of the match - Jacob Murphy (Newcastle)
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