Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports
In a season of missed opportunities, Chelsea FC lost 2-0 to Newcastle United last season, in a forgettable match for Blues fans. While Chelsea did win the return fixture, the first of the two games were one of many where Chelsea were expected to at least pick up a draw, but failed to grab any points. Jose Mourinho was able to recall Diego Costa as his lone striker, and inserted longtime servant John Obi Mikel for the suspended Nenamja Matic.
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The first 10 minutes or so were probably perfect for Newcastle manager Alan Pardew. His team showed discipline in defense, and even held possession Chelsea’s third for very brief spells. But the most important thing was keeping the scoreline at 0-0 and avoiding an early goal.
Chelsea thought they had opened the scoring in the 19th minute, when Eden Hazard set up Willian on the edge of the box, but his curled effort with his weak foot went just wide of the post.
It would take until the 32nd minute for the next real chance to come, and it came for Newcastle. Ayoze Perez did a good job of hold up play, and was able to lay the ball off to an oncoming Jack Colback. With a cleaner touch he would have been one on one with Thibaut Courtois, but Chelsea were able to avoid the danger.
Chelsea had a half chance just before the halftime break, but Oscar’s bicycle kick went just wide of the near post.
The game would go into halftime scoreless. Chelsea had plenty of shots on goal, but nothing to show for it, while Newcastle did well to limit the number of chances for the blues, and had good spells of possession in their own right. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Newcastle nick one early in the second half.
After a good run of play by Newcastle to begin the second half, Obi Mikel missed an opportunity to bag a rare goal. The defensive midfielder came free on a set piece opportunity, but put his shot wide.
The momentum would pay off as Newcastle would open the scoring in the 58th minute. Papiss Cisse finished from close range, after Gary Cahill was unable to defend a cross properly. Chelsea would now have work to do in order to take points from the match.
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In the 77th minute Chelsea nearly leveled the scoring. Branislav Ivanovic played a ball across the face of goal. Hazard latched onto it, but his effort hit the post and bounced back into play.
Papiss Cisse scored again in the 78th minute, all but putting the game away. Newcastle caught Chelsea in possession, and Cisse was able to finish on an empty net after Courtois had come out of his area.
The blues were given a glimmer of hope in the 80th minute when Steven Taylor was shown his second yellow card after a poor tackle on Andre Schurrle. Chelsea now would be able to try and salvage something from the game with a man advantage.
Chelsea FC would capitalize on that advantage on the first kick of the game following the sending off. Substitute Didier Drogba scored from a Cesc Fabregas free kick, making the game 2-1 with seven minutes plus stoppage time to go.
Diego Costa and Filipe Luis were able to test Jan Alnwick during Chelsea FC’s numerous attacks, but were unsuccessful.
Newcastle were able to hold on, and treat their fans to a home victory, effectively ending Chelsea FC’s unbeaten streak. With the loss, second place Manchester City will have the opportunity to cut the lead in the premier league table to three points.
MOTM: Papiss Cisse – Could you pick any other player? Cisse came on as a substitute, and powered his team to an important victory.
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