Sunday afternoon’s match ended Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1.
Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.
Plenty to talk about after this one…
On this occasion it is David Punton:
POSITIVES
Was it that bad?
It certainly could have been a lot worse.
Narrowly losing 2-1 isn’t one to start mass protests over. We played okay.
There was a goal for Isak – a nice move to boot – and we were always in it, rather than outclassed.
Context
The manager was let down in the transfer window over the summer. Those chickens are now coming home to roost.
Worth bearing in mind and we simply to have to get behind Howe. Support through thick and thin, eh?
The damned United
We never do anything at Stamford Bridge.
Despite their recent travails I still have it down as a very tough away game. There seems to be a clutch of away grounds we just can’t get a grip on winning at. This is one of them.
There was no disgrace in losing in west London. We have to move on and batten down the hatches.
Chelsea remain streets ahead, in my view. They’ve managed to spend over £400m on their second string. Yes, they’ve sold players, but the way they’ve splurged the money has a feel of a different rule for them.
Seven of their players on Sunday didn’t even have to travel to Athens for their Europe Conference League game. How are we going to compete with that?
NEGATIVES
Too predictable?
We’re so stupidly predictable, it drives us crackers. It’s always 4-3-3. It’s always the same subs and it’s always too late.
Every week lately is the same, win, lose or draw.
Threadbare
Why didn’t we sign a right winger in the summer instead of wasting so much time on Marc Guehi?
With Anthony Gordon absent with what we are told is a groin injury, Wilson out for longer, Osula seemingly too raw, we were left with one centre forward in Isak.
To compound this, Isak is missing chances. In fact the whole side has been guilty of some horrific profligacy in front of goal.
It’s a big worry and needs sorting out.
Solving the puzzle
Eddie Howe has got a vast amount to think about.
Tonali is seeming to have little impact on games, in contrast to his form for the Italian national side.
Bruno seems to have forgotten how to pass forward.
We have gone from being rock solid to leaky in defence. All of a sudden Burn and Schar look like such a slow pairing.
We ought to still be a long way from calling for Howe’s head, as he has been massively let down by the board, but he has to shoulder some of the blame.
If we get nothing from the next two games, then you would have to say there’s some pressure there.
Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1 – Sunday 27 October 2pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Isak 32
Chelsea:
Jackson 18, Palmer 47
Possession was Newcastle 49% Chelsea 51%
Total shots were Newcastle 11 Chelsea 17
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Chelsea 7
Corners were Newcastle 4 Chelsea 7
Touches in the box Newcastle 26 Chelsea 32
Newcastle United team v Chelsea:
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Kelly 89), Joelinton (Osula 89), Bruno, Tonali (Longstaff 68), Barnes (Willock 68), Isak, Almiron (Jacob Murphy 68)
UNUSED SUBS:
Ruddy, Krafth, Lewis Miley, Vlachodimos
