Majestic Newcastle victory dents mediocre Chelsea’s Champions League hopes in front of co-owner Todd Boehly
Newcastle United delivered a blow to Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League as Anthony Gordon’s first-half goal clinched a rare away win at Stamford Bridge.
Gordon slid in the 18th‑minute winner in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel before the Blues were booed off at full-time, losing at home to the Magpies for the first time since 2012.
But while Stamford Bridge delighted, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, who was also in the posh seats, will now worry about his club’s Champions League future.
Chelsea had started on top, missing a free header through Wesley Fofana before creating further chances for Alejandro Garnacho, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.
But Gordon opened the scoring by slotting in from close range after Joe Willock broke Chelsea’s offside trap when running on to Tino Livramento’s pass.
After the goal, the video assistant referee (VAR) waved away a penalty appeal after checking whether Reece James had pulled down Malick Thiaw, but Chelsea threatened again through Palmer, whose shot was saved.
Having made a goalkeeping change for the fourth time in five matches, the newly recalled Rob Sanchez produced an excellent save to deny Jacob Ramsey just before half-time.
Despite trailing at the break, Blues boss Liam Rosenior was proactive, bringing on striker Liam Delap for defender Malo Gusto.
The substitute immediately tested Aaron Ramsdale with a shot from the edge of the box, with Garnacho later having a shot blocked by Newcastle defender Sven Botman.
Referee Paul Tierney, who had been caught in Chelsea’s pre-match centre-circle huddle, waved away a penalty shout when Nick Woltemade made contact with Palmer’s foot inside the box.
Gordon had another curling effort saved in the 69th minute, with Delap later shooting over on his weaker left foot, flicking a header wide and Trevoh Chalobah heading wide from a corner.
Captain Reece James, who signed a new six-year contract on Friday, struck a free-kick against the post in stoppage time, before Joao Pedro looped a header on to the roof of the net with almost the final kick of the match.
The Blues were booed off having now lost back-to-back matches at home and in Europe.
Newcastle move up to ninth in the Premier League, while Chelsea remain fifth, having played a game more than Liverpool, who host Tottenham on Sunday.
Chelsea analysis: Myriad of problems for Blues
Chelsea are faltering at a key moment in the season and, most concerning of all, there are numerous problems for Rosenior to solve.
From issues in goal, indiscipline and conceding from set-pieces – but it was an open‑play goal and lax marking that allowed Newcastle to take the lead.
As is so typical with Chelsea, they had been playing well, but a lapse in concentration from multiple players saw their tactical structure collapse and leave them vulnerable.
There was, however, a new issue on Saturday evening – a real lack of creativity.
This was despite Palmer, Fernandez and Garnacho all starting. It was the quietest outing in recent weeks for in‑form striker Joao Pedro, signed from under Newcastle’s noses in the summer, while Delap’s introduction offered little lift.
Chelsea were without wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian through injury, while Pedro Neto was absent through a self‑inflicted additional one‑game ban for his reaction to being sent off at Arsenal last month. It was another sign that indiscipline – albeit indirectly – affected Chelsea on the night.
It was in defeat at Arsenal where Sanchez lost his number one status. Drafted back in after Filip Jorgensen’s midweek mistake at Paris St‑Germain, it marked the fourth goalkeeper change in five games.
There are questions whether decisions like that are unsettling, even for a team of exciting talents like Chelsea who lost their way after Newcastle scored against the run of play.
Both Fofana and Moises Caicedo were booked shortly afterwards, with Caicedo now on nine Premier League bookings – one away from a two‑game ban.
It is now a myriad of issues plaguing Chelsea as they falter in their bid to qualify for the Champions League, having lost 5‑2 to PSG on Wednesday – and it is hard to see them finding consistency with so much to resolve.
You had to go back to the night Papiss Cisse stunned Chelsea for the one and only time Newcastle previously triumphed at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
This side do not tend to fare particularly well on their travels, but there was no danger of Howe’s team writing this game off before a monumental Champions League tie against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Howe made it clear to his players how big this match was, and how they needed to perform.
That message got through.
The Newcastle head coach may have made six changes, but those who came into the side recognised the importance of getting a result as the visitors looked to mount a late push for Europe.
Not least the returning Livramento, who set up the decisive goal in his first start since January, after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Not only did the defender have the athleticism to quickly carry the ball forward from the centre-back position to the centre circle as three Chelsea players chased him.
He also had the technical ability to thread the ball through for Willock in the build-up to Gordon opening the scoring.
His former club Chelsea should not have needed any reminding of those qualities, but such a contribution ultimately proved the difference on a night committed Newcastle showed their mettle.
No wonder those in the away end gave their side a huge ovation at full-time. This was a gutsy display.
What’s next for both sides?
Chelsea host Paris St‑Germain at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) in the second leg of their Champions League last‑16 tie, having lost the first leg 5-2. They then travel to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday (17:30).
Newcastle visit Barcelona on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League tie after a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. On Sunday (12:00), they host local rivals Sunderland in the Premier League.
