Chelsea suffer embarrassing defeat to Newcastle United

Chelsea were handed a 4-1 humbling defeat when they played against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues went into the game hoping to build on their form before the international break, but it was the hosts that took the lead through Alexander Isak after 13 minutes of play.

Raheem Sterling got Chelsea level just 10 minutes later, with the winger firing an unstoppable free kick into Nick Pope’s goal after he was fouled by Kieran Trippier moments before.

Chelsea had a number of good chances to take the lead before the break, with Conor Gallagher, Reece James and Nicolas Jackson failing to convert when presented with an opportunity.

Newcastle made it 2-1 through Jamaal Lascelles within 15 minutes of the second half. The defender beat his marker in the Chelsea box, to get on the end of a fine cross from Anthony Gordon, and put the home side in front again.

A disastrous error from Thiago Silva just a minute later allowed the Magpies to add a third after Joelinton nicked the ball off the foot of the Brazilian to slam a shot into Robert Sanchez’s goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Chelsea in the 73rd minute when James was sent off for dragging his man back. The 23-year-old was previously booked for kicking the ball away earlier after the ref blew his whistle for a Newcastle free kick.

With Chelsea down to 10 men, Eddie Howe’s men were in complete control, and it was only a matter of time before they scored another— this time, Gordon, running free at goal, cut the ball to his right foot after beating Benoit Badiashile, before firing a low shot to the far left of Sanchez’s goal.

The result leaves Chelsea rooted in 10th, with as many as 10 points now separating the Blues from the top four.