![](https://static.standard.co.uk/2023/11/25/16/25/SEI181552613.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp)
A shambolic final half an hour saw Chelsea dramatically unravel as they were beaten 4-1 by Newcastle at St. James' Park.
The match was in the balance after an hour, after Raheem Sterling had cancelled out Alexander Isak's opener before the break. But the Blues played a significant role in the chaos that ensued as the Magpies took complete control of the Premier League clash.
Anthony Gordon clipped a ball into the middle, where Jamaal Lascelles was unmarked and allowed to head past Robert Sanchez to put the hosts back in front.
The celebrations were still ongoing in the stands when Newcastle had the ball in the net again within seconds of the restart. Thiago Silva was caught on the ball, Joelinton pounced and had a simple task with the finish as he found himself clean through, 90 seconds after Lascelles' goal.
It got even worse for Chelsea, as they were reduced to ten men with just under 20 minutes remaining. Captain Reece James, already booked for kicking the ball away, was shown a second yellow card, as he lost the ball and then dragged Gordon to the floor.
And Gordon got himself on the scoresheet in the closing stages, racing onto a ball in behind and finding the far corner with a superb finish as Newcastle piled on the misery for the Blues.
There was no sign of that Chelsea collapse early in the second half at St' James. Park, as the visitors found themselves firmly in the match.
Isak had put Newcastle in front on his return to the side in the early stages of the match, lifting a calm finish beyond Sanchez after a lovely pass from Lewis Miley, but Chelsea responded well. Sterling was brought down just outside the area by Kieran Trippier, and he stepped up to brilliantly send the free-kick into the top corner, equalising before the break.
That counted for nothing in the end though, as Chelsea fell apart in alarming fashion.