Both teams were suffering from European hangovers at the beginning of the game, which looked to work to Chelsea’s advantage because we were able to create a few good opportunities. Wesley Fofana’s free header went over the bar, and Cole Palmer blocked an Enzo shot that might have been headed for the top corner. Sadly, Palmer’s shooting radar is still off.
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Newcastle didn’t contribute much, but we gave them a fantastic opportunity with a defensive breakdown, which they properly used to take a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
Although the goal didn’t alter the game’s flow, it did seem to remove all of our attack’s momentum, mobility, and inventiveness. With eleven players behind the ball, Newcastle stared in bewilderment as we passed the ball around in a U-shape without causing any harm. The halftime whistle was met with a roar of jeers.
With a fresh feeling of purpose after halftime, Chelsea began to genuinely offer a threat to the Newcastle goal. However, the visitors were able to handle our increased effort, and when they couldn’t, we chose to overplay and refrain from taking shots, or they were fortunate that VAR didn’t declare the Woltemade tackle on Palmer a foul. Then Trev Chalobah nodded narrowly from a corner, and Liam Delap squandered a decent opportunity.
We continued knocking in a somewhat desperate manner but were unable to make any progress. With a few additional big men, Newcastle was able to easily thwart all of our attempts. In extra time, James’ free kick missed the outside of the post, but it was the closest we would get.
Carefree.
For the second time in the previous three months, Chelsea has failed to score in a game; Newcastle wins at the Bridge for the first time since 2012; Chelsea is still in fifth place, although Liverpool takes on Spurs tomorrow. Sánchez was back, but there wasn’t much he could do against a 2-v-none for the goal.
The second leg’s formality versus PSG on Tuesday comes next.
Carefree
