Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea: Report, result and goals as Blues fight back

Chelsea staged a thrilling second-half comeback to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Newcastle could scarcely have asked for a better start. Roared on by a febrile home crowd, the Magpies pressed from the opening whistle and were rewarded inside four minutes.

Anthony Gordon’s ball across goal was parried by Robert Sanchez, but Nick Woltemade reacted quickest to smash the rebound into the roof of the net.

Chelsea struggled to cope with Newcastle’s intensity. Gordon was tormenting Malo Gusto down the left, while Sandro Tonali controlled the midfield.

Woltemade should arguably have completed a first-half hat-trick, but after missing narrowly on one occasion, he did double his tally on 20 minutes.

Gordon again supplied the quality, drifting past his marker and delivering a precise cross that Woltemade guided calmly into the bottom corner.

A lengthy VAR check eventually confirmed the striker had been kept onside, much to Chelsea’s frustration.

The visitors were fortunate not to be further behind by the break. Newcastle created chance after chance, posting an impressive expected goals figure, while Chelsea failed to register a single shot on target before half-time.

Second half

Whatever Enzo Maresca said at the interval had an immediate effect. Chelsea emerged with far greater urgency and halved the deficit four minutes into the second half in spectacular fashion.

From a central free-kick, Cole Palmer shaped to shoot, only for Reece James to step up and curl a sublime effort into the top corner beyond Aaron Ramsdale.

The goal rattled Newcastle, and Chelsea sensed an opportunity. Pressure built, Ramsdale was forced into several sharp saves, and the equaliser arrived on 66 minutes.

Sanchez, having just denied Gordon, spotted Joao Pedro in space and launched a pinpoint long pass. The Brazilian controlled superbly, shrugged off his marker and finished coolly under Ramsdale to complete an impressive solo move and make it 2-2.

From there, the match became increasingly chaotic. Chances fell at both ends, with Moises Caicedo firing just wide for Chelsea and substitute Anthony Elanga missing a golden opportunity for Newcastle after being released clean through.

Deep into stoppage time, controversy struck again. With Chelsea exposed, Reece James appeared to pull back Harvey Barnes just outside the penalty area, prompting a VAR red-card check that brought play to a halt.

Ultimately, no dismissal followed, allowing Chelsea to cling on for a crucial point.