Chelsea: Nicolas Jackson's moment of madness leaves Enzo Maresca with a big problem | OneFootball

Blues’ hopes of Champions League qualification hit by losing striker for the rest of the season after red card in Newcastle defeat

Nicolas Jackson was sent off for a forearm smash on Newcastle defender Sven Botman

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The Blues arrived at St James’ Park for one of their “three Premier League finals”, according to Enzo Maresca, against one of their rivals in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea can only blame themselves for their 2-0 defeat. They were brave in the second half but were made to pay for Romeo Lavia’s early error leading to Sandro Tonali’s second-minute opener and then the ludicrous forearm jolt to Sven Botman’s face that earned Nicolas Jackson a first-half red card and now deprives Maresca of his striker for the rest of the season through suspension.

Newcastle’s second goal, from Bruno Guimaraes in the 90th minute, was a killer for Chelsea, whose hopes of a top-five finish have been dealt a blow.

Sandro Tonali fired Newcastle ahead early on at St James’ Park

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Their nightmare trip to the North East was cursed before some of their travelling supporters had even taken to their seat. The Blues had not settled but Newcastle were into their high-octane rhythm immediately and scored a mere minute and 54 seconds into the game.

Though his performance improved immensely afterwards, it was the midfielder Lavia whose casual mistake made the goal possible, the Belgian pirouetting just outside of his box and nicked of the ball. Before long, Jacob Murphy had it out on the right and pinged in for the onside Sandro Tonali, lurking and converting at the back stick.

Newcastle’s celebrations told of how crucial a goal it could be. Chelsea had equal points and goal difference to the Magpies heading into the game, below them in fifth only because of having scored fewer goals. They may well end the weekend outside the top five.

Instead, Jackson gifted them a man advantage by digging his forearm into the face of Botman while contesting a high ball. In that moment of sheer stupidity, he left John Brooks no option other than to dismiss him. Brooks originally showed Jackson yellow, but after a VAR replay out came the red, mindless ill-discipline from the striker.

Jackson’s red card could prove costly for Chelsea

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Jackson will miss both of their last two matches of the league season, against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest - two games they almost certainly need to win to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League. How costly Jackson's decision could prove.

The space Guimaraes and Tonali had to play with, between Chelsea’s midfield and defence, closed up after the break, once Maresca had sacrificed the ineffectual Noni Madueke for Reece James’s leadership and heft in midfield. To the credit of the manager, the player and Chelsea at large, they played so much better after the interval.

Clear-cut chances against Newcastle’s shrewdly-organised back line were still rare - Marc Cucurella coming closest when his low volley was clawed wide by Nick Pope - yet the 10-man Blues were posing questions at last. They kept coming at Newcastle, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto working tirelessly to work angles. Jadon Sancho, too, once he and Gusto had replaced Trevoh Chalobah and Lavia, whose response after the early error had been admirable.

Chelsea’s expensively-compiled midfield has shown quality this season, but personality and a sprinkling of the dark arts can be just as important.

With Enzo Fernandez already on a booking for remonstrating with the referee in the first half, the wily Guimaraes made it his mission to grapple with Enzo, clipping him on the run and holding him at corners. The Argentine took the bait, irritable in the midday heat and in danger of letting his frustration get the better of him to take Chelsea down further from 10 men to nine.

Guimaraes had the last laugh by different means, his shot from the edge of the box looping cruelly off Gusto and flying over Robert Sanchez and into the net.

It had been starting to look as though Chelsea deserved something from the match, too, but they didn't get the big moments of the game right. Newcastle have made Chelsea’s chances of Champions League football a darn sight less likely now. A horrible day trip for the Blues.