Chelsea player ratings vs Newcastle: Nicolas Jackson moment of madness and Enzo Fernandez is overrun | OneFootball

Cole Palmer quiet on difficult day for the Blues at St James’ Park

Nicolas Jackson was sent off against Newcastle

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

It was a dire start for the Blues when Sandro Tonali pounced to net the opener inside two minutes.

Chelsea’s job became even more difficult when Nicolas Jackson gave a pointless forearm to the face of Sven Botman and was shown a straight red after a VAR review.

The Blues improved after the break but cocended again after 90 minutes when Bruno Guimaraes scored for Newcastle, leaving Enzo Maresca’s side well beaten in the North East.

Dom Smith ran the rule over the Chelsea players…

Robert Sanchez 4

A couple of wobbly moments and could have done better with the Tonali goal, if not the second.

Moises Caicedo 6

Given a tough time down the right flank by the electric performance of Anthony Gordon but won some important duels.

Trevoh Chalobah 6

Perhaps Chelsea’s standout defender on a day to forget in the North East, giving his head and foot in there and disrupting Newcastle attacks.

Levi Colwill 5

Not a very confident performance by the England international going forward, as he went long when shorter options felt more sensible. But made some really important tackles.

Marc Cucurella 6

After a quiet first half, he, like Chelsea, grew after the break and nearly scored an equaliser.

Romeo Lavia 6

Had a horrendous start to the match, losing the ball in the build-up to the opening goal. But recovered to make some incisive passes and important interceptions, impressing in midfield.

Enzo Fernandez 4

Was booked for remonstrating with the referee about a decision he didn’t agree with. Was overrun by Newcastle’s physical midfield and let Guimaraes frustrate him.

Pedro Neto 6

The brightest of Chelsea’s attackers, dribbling away down the right and arriving in the box to offer a threat further up the pitch once Jackson had been dismissed.

Cole Palmer 5

Tried things constantly for the Blues but with very little space to play with, as Newcastle defended diligently.

Noni Madueke 5

Offered very little in the first half and was the man to make way at the break as Reece James came on.

Nicolas Jackson 2

Ruined his side the chance of getting anything out of such a vital game by elbowing Sven Botman and picking up a needless red card after just 35 minutes.

Subs:

Reece James (Madueke, 46’) 6

Came on and showed good leadership but could not mount a Chelsea comeback.

Jadon Sancho (Lavia, 74’) 5

Went at Newcastle but couldn’t break through their tight defence.

Malo Gusto (Chalobah, 74’) 5

Offered little and was unlucky that Guimaraes’s shot deflected off him and looped in.

Not used: Jorgensen, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Acheampong, Dewsbury-Hall, George