Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players

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·31 ottobre 2024

Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0.

I enjoyed just about every minute of this game. Newcastle were the better side by far and the 2-0 victory was thoroughly deserved.

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Under Eddie Howe, I think we’re at our best when we press relentlessly, and we haven’t done that to our usual high standards this season.

Well last night we were at it from the first minute and it seemed to terrify the Chelsea defence. We panicked them into mistake after mistake and went in two goals up at the interval after a dominant first half.

Chelsea got on the front foot more in the second half but our defence held firm. We went to a back five and soaked up the pressure well. They missed a sitter but we had a couple of good chances too.

There were good performances all over the pitch. Eddie made changes, of course, but all of the players he brought in did well. In fact I’d go as far as to say that the midfield of Longstaff, Tonali and Willock looked better balanced than the other combinations we’ve witnessed this season.

So Newcastle are through to the quarter finals once more. Like everyone I was with post-match, I was convinced we’d get Liverpool or Arsenal away – we’ve had short straw after short straw recently – so a home tie against Brentford came as a relief. It won’t be easy, but it’s winnable.

Nick Pope – 7

A clean sheet and a decent showing from our keeper.

Punched a couple of times when he could have caught it and his distribution was, as ever, variable, but it never really seemed like our goal was under threat

Emil Krafth – 9

Well, well, well. I thought Krafth was outstanding, my Player of the Match. Composed, defensively astute, and even had a couple of gallops upfield. One of those nearly ended in a goal for Osula.

Emil Krafth seems to be the quietest, least demonstrative member of the squad, so maybe we don’t notice him so much. And last night he just got on with the job with the minimum of fuss. He doesn’t get many games but never lets us down when he plays.

Fabian Schar – 7

Our captain got an early booking for a rash challenge, so had to calculate the odds every time he thought about making a tackle after that.

However, he’s got all manner of degrees in finance, so his calculations worked. His passing wasn’t as assured as it usually is but it was a decent display overall.

Lloyd Kelly – 8

A really good performance from Kelly, in my opinion.

Got a couple of heroic blocks in, showed a little more pace than many of our defenders, and knew what to do with the ball.

Like Krafth, not one of the first names on the teamsheet (for now), but reliable when selected.

Lewis Hall – 8

Before this game, most fans would probably say the season so far has been one of frustration. One of the few successes has been Lewis Hall, who has probably made the LB position his.

Athletic, brave, and can play a pass. A couple of lads I know thought he was our best player last night and I can see why

Sean Longstaff – 7

I saw the discussion this week that pointed out the stats show we tend to have a better chance of winning if Longstaff is in the team.

I was completely unaware of that but last night offered more evidence.

I’m not sure what he did that made the difference. He’s not the fastest or most skilful, nor is he a midfield enforcer. But he did the hard yards, sniffed out danger, and covered his teammates well.

Sandro Tonali – 8

Arguably his best display in a Newcastle shirt.

Got caught in possession a couple of times, but was the dominant midfielder on display, and showed quick thinking to get an assist for the first goal.

Sandro has a bit of everything. He can tackle, he can pass, he can hold the ball, and he can shoot. And the good thing is, I just know he’d going to get better

Joe Willock – 7

As we know, Joe Willock needs games to get up to full Joe Willock, but last night was evidence that he is getting there.

He is far more willing to bomb on than most of our midfielders and he did it to good effect last night.

Anthony Gordon – 7

Asked to play on the right to start with and this was probably his best performance in that particular role.

Pressed the heart out of the Chelsea defence and had them at sixes and sevens.

Less effective with the ball than he can be but I’ll put that down to the unsuitability of being on the right. Ended up left midfield when we went to what looked like a 5-4-1 second half and worked the flank well

Alexander Isak – 8

Another one who had his best game of the season so far.

In Isak’s case, the bar had been set quite low, but he impacted the game well last night.

It was a very well-placed finish for our first goal – a lot pf players would have fluffed the chance – and very quick thinking on the free kick that led to our second. I’d have given him the assist.

Joelinton – 8

I think Joe enjoyed the game as much as I did.

Restored to the left attacking role where he has been effective before and put himself about with his customary enthusiasm.

Panicked the Chelsea defence into conceding possession for our first goal and hit the post when he should have scored.

When Chelsea came into it in the second half, he was asked to play as a makeshift right wing-back and he did well there too.

Bruno Guimaraes – 7

Got 30 minutes and they were a classy 30 minutes.

He was very comfortable on the ball and provided energy at the right time

Willian Osula – 6

Looked confident when he came on and gave us something different up front.

Not the fastest but strong and fearless.

Hit the post and played well. He’ll take heart from his performance.