Revenge is a dish best served cold, though some like it hot! Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0

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The Mag

·30 October 2024

Revenge is a dish best served cold, though some like it hot! Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0

Revenge is a dish best served cold, though some like it hot.

And United were certainly hot enough to blaze a trail into the League Cup quarter-finals as they avenged an undeserved defeat at Stamford Bridge only three days earlier.

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The two-goal lead in the first half-hour would have been three if Joelinton had hit the net rather than the outside of the post, before Isak scored the opener slightly against the run of play.

With Tonali, Willock, Gordon and Longstaff producing the sort of full-court press that has been sadly missing for too long, a Chelsea team intent on passing themselves into oblivion just outside their penalty area were there for the taking in the first half.

Perhaps their manager might consider the 11 changes he made to Sunday’s starting line-up, particularly the omission of Palmer, were not the best way to ensure fluid, precise passing.

The visitors were better in the second half, which was maybe why Howe introduced Guimaraes and the lesser-spotted Osula just after the hour, replacing the energetic Willock and Isak.

Burn and Livramento took over from Hall and Gordon after 72 minutes as United’s much-criticised manager proved the doubters wrong by switching players’ positions.

The biggest difference from previous performances this season was the pace, something missing when two Brazilians and an Italian monopolised our midfield.

Howe must decide what is our most effective blend before the team suffer any more setbacks.

With Krafth and Hall outstanding, plus the welcome return of Lewis Miley, at least we will be able to field a strong squad against Arsenal on Saturday.

Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 – Wednesday 30 October 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 23, Disasi OG 26

Chelsea:

Possession was Newcastle 35% Chelsea 65%

Total shots were Newcastle 8 Chelsea 17

Shots on target were Newcastle 2 Chelsea 4

Corners were Newcastle 1 Chelsea 9

Touches in the box Newcastle 18 Chelsea 30

Newcastle United team v Chelsea:

Pope, Krafth, Schar, Kelly, Hall (Burn 72), Joelinton, Tonali (Miley 90+2), Longstaff, Willock, (Bruno 63), Isak (Osula 63), Gordon (Livramento 72)