Even Chelsea's own commentator hammered the Blues for not showing enough fight when it mattered most against Newcastle United after Kai Havertz squared up to Dan Burn.
Tempers flared at full-time after Newcastle moved nine points clear of Chelsea in third place following a 1-0 win at St James' Park on Saturday night. Chelsea players' frustrations after the game were, perhaps, telling as Havertz took issue with Fabian Schar and Burn celebrating in his face, which sparked a melee in front of the Leazes End.
As Havertz pushed Burn, and Hakim Ziyech grappled with Jacob Murphy, even club commentator Ben Andrews was honest enough to comment on air: "Not enough passion during the game I'm afraid folks. It's all kicking off now. Where was the fight over the last half-hour or so?"
READ MORE: Eddie Howe loved what Newcastle players did after Chelsea sub Kai Havertz squared up to Dan Burn
Aside from one Conor Gallagher effort, a couple of minutes before Joe Willock scored, Chelsea did not offer a great deal as Eddie Howe's side made the visitors look a rather ordinary outfit. Graham Potter, for his part, highlighted the difference in schedules after Chelsea played four more games than Newcastle in six weeks, but it is worth remembering the Magpies were also contesting their third match in six days.
"Too many unforced errors," the Chelsea boss told reporters after the game. "We got into some spaces quite well but, then, there was a sloppy pass that isn't normally like us.
"I have to defend the players in terms of fatigue, in terms of what they have had to deal with, but Newcastle don't make it easy for you. They're one of the best teams defensively in the Premier League so credit to the opponent for that, but it was a tough game for us."
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