Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea: Highlights and 5 Talking Points

Jose Mourinho’s side are 15th in the table with only eight points from seven gamesDefending champions Chelsea went into the match against Newcastle at St James’ Park, knowing the home side were yet to win a league match this season. Jose Mourinho had never won this fixture as Chelsea manager, but considering the circumstances this was his best chance.Chelsea started the match in lacklustre fashion as it was the home side that sprung to life. Ayoze Perez opened the scoring after Chelsea defenders were caught napping in front of goal. The Blues came back after the restart and pinned Newcastle into their own half as they went in search of an equalizer, but the Magpies managed to double their lead after Wijnaldum headed in from a poorly defended corner.Mourinho made changes and it worked as Chelsea fought back to earn a point in the end thanks to goals from Ramires and Willian. Here are the highlights and talking points.

#1 Zouma is talented but will need time

Kurt Zouma has been a revelation at Chelsea. And after managing to impress his manager, he has played all league matches for the club this season. He possesses immense potential which is evident in his aerial duels and tackles, which he does with conviction and confidence that is rare for a defender of his age.

But what he seems to lack is experience. John Terry was benched again and whether Mourinho got that decision right is up for debate as both Branislav Ivanovic and Zouma were caught ball-watching as Ayoze Perez came from behind unnoticed to give Newcastle the lead.

Terry’s leadership qualities were sorely missed in a match like this where the opposition clearly weren’t in form and all Chelsea had to do was to stick to the basics. Terry could have dealt with Aleksandar Mitrovic’s physicality, whereas Zouma’s pace was not exactly required in a game such as this.

#2 Mitrovic - Newcastles\'s own Diego Costa

With Chelsea losing their star striker Diego Costa to a suspension, Newcastle had their front man from Serbia Aleksandar Mitrovic returning from a similar ban. Costa has come in for criticism for crossing the line in matches, but Mitrovic showed today what strikers should be doing when they are off the ball and not scoring.

He kept fighting for the ball, helped his team recover possession when they lost it and put in an incredible shift defensively to raise the mood inside St James’ Park. This Newcastle team needs to make sure Mitrovic does not cross the line again and miss any more game-time. With his presence, they have added strength in the air, both in defence and offence.

He won five aerial duels against Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma while Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy managed to win a total of 3 combined. That is a good return against top quality centre-backs. He was a nuisance for the opposition and if Newcastle are to come out of this mess, such weapons are exactly what they require.

#3 Mourinho\'s substitutes changed the game

Ramires Willian — Ramires and Willian came on as substitutes in the second half and both scored to help Chelsea grab a point

“I'm not a magician. I tried my best for the team. At half-time, I said I was sorry I only had 3 subs as I wanted to change six.” – Jose Mourinho

Mourinho said after the match that he was clearly not happy with his team’s quality in the first half. Chelsea looked poor throughout the first 45 minutes. They started the game slowly against a side that were yet to win in the league this season. It was no surprise to hear that the manager wanted to make changes, and that’s what he did as he brought on Willian, Ramires and Falcao in place of Matic, Oscar and Remy respectively.

The message was clear and the intent was there for all to see as Chelsea started pinning Newcastle even further back into their own penalty area, trying to erase a two-goal lead. Ramires then took matters into his own hands and unleashed an absolute screamer into the back of the net from distance and Willian followed suit not long after from a free kick that missed everybody in the box.

It was not a performance to be proud of for Chelsea by any means. But the introduction of Ramires and Willian changed the intensity and tempo of the game and Newcastle seemed to panic towards the end.

#4 Newcastle have sprung to life

Newcastle Perez — Newcastle put in a good performance against the defending champions until late goals prevented them from getting all three points

Coming into the match, Newcastle manager Steve McClaren was under immense pressure to deliver results after the money he had spent and the start he had had. 20-year-old Kevin Mbabu had to come in at left-back on his debut after Massadio Haidara failed a late fitness test.

All the early signs pointed to Chelsea coming out of the match as comfortable winners. But credit where it’s due as Newcastle stuck to their task and closed the visitors down whenever they started to look threatening.

Newcastle slowly grew into the game and finished the first half as the better side, going into the break with a one-goal lead. They looked hungry and like they had a point to prove. Even when they were without the ball in the second half, Mitrovic and Perez dropped deep to close down passing lanes.

Mbabu did well, even though he was a right footed player deployed at a left-back. Tim Krul came up with top saves keeping Chelsea at bay and St James’ Park had suddenly sprung back to life again.

Only a moment of individual brilliance from Ramires and a free kick from Willian robbed Newcastle of their first league win of the season. They could have easily taken all three points from this match and nobody would have said they didn’t deserve it. But their fans can breathe again after watching them put forward a much-improved display against the defending champions at home.

#5 Chelsea have no more excuses

Will Jose Mourinho be able to turn around Chelsea’s fortunes?

To come out of the game against Newcastle with a point is no good for a Chelsea side that has already lost enough points to paint doubt in the minds of those considering them as title contenders this season. It has been a dreadful start for Chelsea and after three wins in a row for Jose Mourinho, he will have hoped to see off a Newcastle side that had registered only one win in all competitions this season.

It was a first half to forget for Chelsea as they allowed an out-of-form Newcastle to gain rhythm by constantly giving the ball away or by not utilizing the ball when they had it. They weren’t linking up play very well causing umpteen number of turnovers from which the Magpies countered.

Chelsea’s defensive woes continued as Ivanovic still hasn’t regained his old form. But what Chelsea fans can look forward to is the progress in the form of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas. Hazard showed flashes of brilliance in the second half that reminded us why he was the Player of the Year last season while Fabregas’ incredible 95 touches on the ball (with a passing accuracy of 82.5%) was the highest in the game for a player from both sides.

Chelsea now have two home fixtures in succession in the league after a visit to Porto in midweek. And Mourinho will be looking to get back to winning ways soon if they are to get their wobbly title aspirations back on track.