Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle United: Magpies win at The Bridge to keep European hopes alive
· Yahoo Sports
Newcastle United picked up a crucial win at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, their second ever win there in the Premier League and a first since 2012. Anthony Gordon netted the sole goal of the evening, pushing his side closer to European football next season.
As It Happened
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Eddie Howe made six changes to his side following their 1-1 draw with Barcelona in midweek, whilst Chelsea made just two changes to their starting XI, those being Robert Sánchez regaining his spot between the sticks due to Filip Jörgensen missing out with a groin injury and Alejandro Garnacho replacing the suspended Pedro Neto.
It was the hosts who came closest in the opening stages, when Reece James’ corner found the head of Wesley Fofana but he Frenchman couldn’t find the target. Minutes later, Cole Palmer flashed the ball narrowly wide after breaking free inside the penalty area.
However, it was Newcastle who found the opener in the 18th minute through Gordon who tapped into a virtually empty net after being set up by Joe Willock rounding off a lovely counter-attack. That’s goals in back-to-back Premier League games now for Gordon, perhaps the winger could start eyeing up a spot in England’s World Cup squad if this form continues.
Fofana picked up the first yellow card of the game a few minutes later, for a foul on the goalscorer. He was shortly joined by Moises Caicedo who brought down Nick Woltemade just inside the Chelsea half.
A VAR check came in the 35th minute for a potential Newcastle penalty after James appeared to drag Malick Thiaw down in the box, however it was not given. Moments later, at the other end of the pitch, Palmer stung the palms of Aaron Ramsdale with a left footed strike from the edge of the area. A break in play followed to allow the players that are observing Ramadan to break their fast.
The Magpies came close to doubling their lead through Willock but his strike was well saved by Sánchez, bringing the first-half to a close. Chelsea made a change at the break with Liam Delap replacing Malo Gusto, as the hosts look to get more on the fromt foot in the second period.
Newcastle almost played themselves into deep trouble early in the second-half, but Ramsdale managed to clear the ball into a Chelsea player, resulting in a goal kick for the visitors. Ramsdale was again called into action moments later when Delap forced him into a save from outside the penalty area.
Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure as they searched for an equaliser, but this time James saw his corner dealt with by the Newcastle defence, before Joao Pedro saw his shot blocked…winning The Blues another corner which saw Fofana attempt an overhead kick to no success.
The hosts second change came on the hour mark when Romeo Lavia replaced Caicedo who was walking a tightrope due to his earlier yellow card. Huge shouts for a penalty followed shortly after when Palmer went down in the box, however they were waved away by the referee and of course cleared by VAR.
Newcastle’s first change of the evening saw Woltemade withdrawn in favour of Joelinton. Gordon nearly doubled his tally for the night from long range but Sánchez was alert enough to push it away. The Blues looked almost certain to equalise with 15 minutes left on the clock, but Delap couldn’t keep his shot down and it flew well clear of the crossbar. The Mapies responded by bringing Anthony Elanga into the match to replace Jacob Murphy as well as Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn in place of Willock and Tino Livramento.
Chelsea came incredibly close yet again, this time through Trevoh Chalobah who’s header went agonisingly wide. Sánchez was called into action again with less than ten minutes remaining, to deny Gordon a second of the game. A change followed with Liam Rosenior introducing Jorrel Hato, and bringing Fofana’s night to a close.
Ramsdsale saw yellow in the 83rd minute for timewasting as his side hoped to hold on to the lead and secure a first win at Stamford Bridge since May 2012. Moments later, Delap headed wide after a great ball in from Palmer. As eight additional minutes were announced, Chelsea won a free-kick which saw James’ dipping effort clip the post before going behind.
The hosts won a late corner in the 95th minute, with Palmer’s delivery finidng the head of a Newcastle defender who cleared the ball away only for The Blues to come at them again in search of a leveller at the death. However, the away defence held strong until Pedro headed over the bar, confirming a huge win for The Magpies.