Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea: Toon deliver under the lights in huge win for Howe

After defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, a Carabao Cup home game under the lights was the perfect opportunity to get revenge. Howe made several interesting changes, with Tonali, Joelinton, Longstaff, and Willock all starting. Gordon, who was missing with a groin issue at the weekend, started alongside Isak who came off the back of scoring at the weekend. In defence, Hall and Schar retained their spot in front of Pope, while Krafth and Kelly were introduced to the starting 11.

Early doors it was Gordon in from the right, with Joelinton on the left. Leaving Willock and Tonali as the runners through the middle. Longstaff was deeper, but still getting forward when needed.

Newcastle dominated early, with the high press causing Chelsea all sorts of issues. It eventually led to the opening goal after more high pressing and a well-taken finish from Isak, who made it 2-in-2. The early pressure was maintained by Newcastle, who got a free-kick on the left side. Quick thinking from Hall set up Isak, who crossed for Willock before his header was bundled into the net as Chelsea scrambled to clear.

It was a much more tame second half, as we looked to protect what we had. Chelsea spurned a few chances and we were perhaps guilty of sitting too deep too soon, but the visitors were unable to capitalise and often found efforts blocked from the brilliant Kelly, Hall or Krafth.

Tonali delivered his best display of the season in a deeper No.6 role, Longstaff put in a dillogent performance, Joelinton and Willock caused issues down our left, Isak’s all round play was sharper and there were some impressive defensive displays. Kelly made several crucial interventions after recovering from a shaky start, Hall continues to go from strength to strength with a confident display and Krafth was reliable as ever.

Osula looked good after coming on, and almost got his first Newcastle goal but was denied by the post. Newcastle played out the remainder of the game in a mature fashion to see out the win.

A much better performance from Newcastle. Howe got his tactics bang on and there were some great individual performances from some key players, giving the squad a much needed confidence boost after five games without a win in the league.

STARTING XI: Pope – Krafth, Schar, Kelly, Hall – Tonali, Longstaff, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Willock.

SUBS: Dubravka, A Murphy, Barnes, Osula, Miley, Livramento, Burn, A Murphy, Bruno G.

Newcastle came out of the blocks early, and despite Chelsea having the first chance of the game, it was Newcastle that had the biggest. A wonderful ball from the right from Isak was put on a plate for Joelinton who somehow hit the outside of the post.

Chelsea had a good chance five minutes later, with a nice cutback leading to a series of corners, but Newcastle held on and we were soon back on the attack. A series of slick moves from Newcastle came after, with quick passing in the middle following more high energy pressing off the ball, but nothing came of it…yet.

Under huge pressure from the goal kick, Joelinton trapped Chelsea outside the box which set up Tonali’s beautiful pass to Isak who did not miss. Moments later, the trap worked again, with Joelinton the catalyst. His ball set up Tonali, who sadly wasn’t able to get his powerful effort on target.

Next up was a quick free-kick from Hall down the left side which set off Isak to have a free run. Isak’s ball got a slight deflection which set up Willock, whose backwards header was deflected into the Chelsea goal. Much like London buses, Newcastle had suddenly managed two open-play goals within two minutes!

Chelsea had another chance when Schar was caught ball-watching in the box. Thankfully for us, Kelly was alive to the danger and blocked a shot on target, not for the first time!

With the half about to end, Newcastle broke away on the right side with Gordon and his wicked cross had just too much power for Willock who hit it wide. A brilliant first half from Newcastle who had all the answers for the Chelsea game plan. With such a strong bench for Chelsea, it was likely a different team would start.

A fast start to the half, while Chelsea had the first half-chance, Newcastle again came out flying. An early run on the left side from Willock almost opened up Chelsea, but Isak was unable to take down the cross. The ball eventually fell to Lewis Hall, who had a shot on target that was easily saved.

Another break for Newcastle on the left side, this time finding Hall but a deflection on the cross killed any momentum it had. We were starting to get space now, however, with Chelsea pushing forward.

Unsurprisingly it was Chelsea that made the first change, with Madueke coming on for Dewsbury-hall early in the first half. A few flashpoints after, but Newcastle would then make two changes. Willock off for Bruno G, while Isak would come off for Osula who would be given a good 30 minutes. Nothing much of note came of the next 10 minutes, with Newcastle making another chance with Lewis Hall coming off for Livramento, and Dan Burn coming on for Gordon with Newcastle shifting to a back 5.

A moment later, a lovely worked move saw Longstaff have the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside. Newcastle were almost made to pay a second later as Felix was left one-on-one with Pope, but he knocked it wide.

Osula struck the post in the 82nd minute after a lovely bit of play from Krafth. The Swede picked the pocket of the Chelsea man and went on a mazy run setting up Osula. His lovely turn and strike hit the post but he was so close to his first goal for Newcastle.

Newcastle remained in control in the latter stage, with some nice passing at the top of the pitch. Pope was called into action late on with a powerful out-the-box shot which was parried away. Newcastle made a late change with Tonali coming off to huge applause around the stadium. Coming on for him was Lewis Miley, who got an even bigger applause as he made his first appearance of the season.

Attention now turns to another home game, this time against Arsenal, as Howe looks to overturn recent poor league form with momentum from this fixture.

HWTL!