Chelsea picked up some extent on the highway towards Newcastle United, drawing 2-2 with the Magpies on Saturday lunchtime. St James’ Park witnessed one of many best video games within the Premier League this season, with fixed motion at each ends.
The sport began within the worst attainable vogue for the Blues. Nick Woltemade struck twice within the opening 20 minutes of the sport to depart Enzo Maresca’s facet reeling. Goalkeeper Rob Sanchez did his greatest to forestall the primary, pulling off a nice save, however the German managed to attain the rebound. His second was a well-directed effort from a free kick.
Regardless of dropping at half-time, it didn’t take the Blues lengthy to hit again. It was a implausible strike from membership captain Reece James, who fired residence a free-kick from 25-yards out. The England worldwide noticed his effort dip over the Magpies’ wall, clatter into the submit and into the again of the web.
The Blues’ equaliser got here within the 66th minute, by means of striker Joao Pedro. It was some spectacular talent from the Brazilian, which purchased him the house, flicking the ball over Malick Thiaw together with his head. Pedro was quickly bearing down on purpose and fired residence to equalise.
Regardless of a very good comeback from Chelsea, there have been some disappointing performances throughout the board.
Chelsea’s most disappointing gamers vs Newcastle
It was a efficiency to neglect for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho. Coming off two targets in midweek towards Cardiff Metropolis within the Carabao Cup, he was wasteful within the North East and usually made the mistaken choice within the remaining third.
That was picked up on by Soccer London journalist Bobby Vincent. The senior Chelsea reporter gave the Blues’ quantity 49 a score of 4/10, explaining that he “wanted to go” extra typically, slightly than always taking pictures.
One other participant who struggled towards Howe’s facet was defender Wesley Fofana. The Frenchman has fashioned a powerful centre-back pairing with Trevoh Chalobah in current weeks, however was definitely not at his greatest towards Newcastle. He was dispossessed when carrying the ball ahead by Anthony Gordon within the lead-up to Woltemade’s opener.
Certainly, his stats from the sport replicate how robust of a day it was for the previous Leicester Metropolis man. Fofana had 59 touches however misplaced the ball 4 instances and struggled to dominate defensively. He solely gained three duels out of 9 tried.
As unhealthy as Garnacho and Fofana have been, there was a Chelsea participant who was arguably worse.
Chelsea’s worst participant vs Newcastle
It was definitely a tricky day on the workplace for France worldwide Malo Gusto. Beginning at right-back with James in midfield, he struggled going up towards Gordon within the first half, who was a continuing risk working at him.
The previous Lyon defender was additionally somebody who switched off a bit for the primary Magpies’ purpose. Gusto let England worldwide Gordon make a run from behind his again, getting forward of him and placing an effort at purpose. The rebound from that Sanchez save led to the purpose.
His efficiency solely earned him a 4/10 score from Vincent. The journalist mentioned he was “sloppy” on the again, which is mirrored within the stats. Gusto had simply 26 touches, nearly half the quantity of Sanchez’s, and didn’t win both of his tried duels.
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Gusto key stats vs Newcastle |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Quantity |
|
Touches |
26 |
|
Passes accomplished |
14/16 |
|
Variety of instances ball misplaced |
2 |
|
Floor duels gained |
0/2 |
|
Fouls dedicated |
2 |
|
Ball recoveries |
1 |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
|
It stays to be seen if Gusto will hold his place within the Chelsea facet. They subsequent play after Christmas, with a tricky journey to Aston Villa subsequent up on the twenty seventh of December. Developing towards the likes of Morgan Rogers will definitely imply the Frenchman has his work lower out.
Maresca has choices if he needs to vary issues. The logical factor to do, after all, can be to play James at right-back once more and decide a midfielder. Enzo Fernandez is the apparent possibility, however Andrey Santos might additionally slot into the facet.
Both approach, after Gusto’s struggles away to Newcastle, and the truth that they want high quality on the ball at Villa Park to assist management the sport, Maresca may properly determine to rotate him out of the facet. It was definitely a efficiency to neglect for the Frenchman this weekend.
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