Newcastle United's unbeaten run is over after Kai Havertz struck late to give Chelsea a controversial 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle looked on course to claim a well-deserved point after frustrating the Blues for long spells. However, Havertz broke the deadlock in the 89th minute with a late, late winner as the Magpies suffered their first defeat in the league since before Christmas.
The goal was all the more devastating for Newcastle when Havertz could have been sent off for an elbow on Dan Burn in the first half. This was, ultimately, one of a number of decisions that went against the visitors.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
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Kai Havertz breaks Newcastle hearts at the death as decisions go against visitors
After limiting Jorginho's influence for so long, Newcastle's tired players did not get close enough to Chelsea's talisman in the 89th minute as he clipped a superb ball over the top into the box. Kai Havertz then spun Dan Burn before calmly slotting home to send a relieved Thomas Tuchel and his staff on a jig of delight in front of the visitors' bench. It was a hammer blow - made all the worse for Newcastle when Havertz could easily have been sent off in the first half.
Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to say that, at one point, Newcastle could have had a two-man advantage and a penalty to boot but a host of decisions, bizarrely, went against the visitors. Chelsea were a little fortunate not to go down to 10 men before half-time after Kai Havertz cut Dan Burn's forehead open with a stray elbow as they jumped for a header, but the Germany international was only booked by referee David Coote.
Then, just before the hour mark, Jacob Murphy had a huge shout for a spot-kick after the winger was pulled back by Trevoh Chalobah but, remarkably, only a corner was given. A few minutes later, Hakim Ziyech was given just a yellow card after catching Bruno Guimaraes in the head with a high boot.
Newcastle previously wrote to the Premier League to seek some clarity on a host of big calls that went the opposition's way in the games against Leicester City, Man City and Manchester United back in December after Howe's side were left in 'disbelief' and with a 'feeling of injustice'. Howe went on to reveal that the top-flight's response was 'an enjoyable read'. It is hard to envisage another letter being sent.
Newcastle have come a long way as Tuchel's reaction says it all
In the reverse fixture, back in October, Newcastle only had 21% possession at St James' Park, mustered just one weak shot on target and failed to win a corner. Winger Ryan Fraser was even used as a central midfielder. That lack of a threat eventually told and Newcastle were blown apart by three goals in 16 minutes in the second half.
Interim boss Graeme Jones admitted 'we don't want to play that way but it is where we are at the moment'. Clearly, a lot has changed since then. Even goalkeeper Martin Dubravka commented that 'we are trying to play a modern football, which I'm very pleased with. It's not just kicking the ball up there and fighting for every ball and every second ball.'
Therefore, it was not a surprise that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel pointed out 'it's a different' Newcastle to the one the German had previously faced under Jones and Steve Bruce. Tuchel already knows Howe well so the Chelsea boss had half an idea of what to expect.
Certainly, there was no danger of Howe sitting back. - even with a back five. Howe had been watching Chelsea for some time to put together a game plan to win at Stamford Bridge. Although the players did not have long to digest this, because there was such a quick turnaround between games, they carried it out effectively.
This was far from the defeatist approach we have seen from Newcastle managers down through the years and, at one point, a frustrated Tuchel turned on his heels as Newcastle again won the ball back off his side deep in their own half. Despite having just 27% possession, the visitors thwarted Chelsea off the ball, pressed high up the pitch and did not allow the Blues to even have a shot on target in the opening 75 minutes. Chris Wood selflessly shut down the influential Jorginho for large periods, Dan Burn was again a colossus at the back and Matt Targett's deliveries caused real problems.
Going forward, Newcastle even had some good chances as Burn glanced a header just wide, Miguel Almiron forced Edouard Mendy into a fine save on the volley and Fabian Schar had a golden opportunity at the death.
Howe is changing Newcastle's mentality
Although Newcastle had only previously picked up a single point against sides currently in the top five this season, Eddie Howe warned that this was 'not a free hit'. Instead, the Newcastle boss approached this game like he does every other contest: trying to win it, prioritising how his side can hurt the opposition and not focusing on Chelsea's undoubted strengths to such a degree where his own players would doubt whether they can even get a result.
Newcastle may had only won one of their previous 27 league games at Stamford Bridge, and lost 23 of their last 24 Premier League away games against sides starting the day in the top three of the table, but Howe's proactive approach certainly paid dividends during his time at Bournemouth. Indeed, Howe got the better of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Frank Lampard away at Chelsea. Of all visiting managers to have previously taken charge of at least three Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, Howe's 60% win rate was the best.
With Howe in charge, Newcastle have half a chance in these sorts of games again. After previously having a wretched record at Stamford Bridge, the Magpies came mightily close to picking up their first result at Chelsea since Papiss Cisse's wonder strikes back in 2012.
Mike Ashley's name is sung by Newcastle fans on a strange day
There was an eerie atmosphere at Stamford Bridge in the opening stages in what was Chelsea's first home game since owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government. Unsurprisingly, then, it did not take the away end long to reference the Russian as Newcastle supporters chanted: 'No noise from the bankrupt boys'.
That chant seemed to spark Chelsea supporters into life as they sang: 'Champions of Europe - you'll never sing that! and so began and to and fro on the terraces. Just a few minutes later, Newcastle fans taunted: 'Mike Ashley - he's coming for you!' to which the home support eventually responded: 'Boris Johnson - he's coming for you!'
Much-changed Newcastle hold their own
You would not have known it, but Newcastle only really had a couple of light sessions before this game because of the narrow gap between the trip to Southampton on Thursday night and the game at Stamford Bridge three days later. Although Southampton Airport was shut after the 2-1 victory earlier this week, perhaps, it was not a surprise that Newcastle stayed down south for both games.
The players were tired following a huge physical effort at St Mary's and, with Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Federico Fernandez already sidelined, Newcastle's squad was stretched. To further compound matters, Emil Krafth went off with cramp on Thursday night, Joelinton was managing a groin issue; and Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock were both ill. Was it any wonder, then, that two goalkeepers, Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie, and youngster Lucas De Bolle were among those on the bench?
It was hard to envisage Howe naming an unchanged side but even harder to predict who would start given the lack of options in reserve. Howe ultimately made four changes as Miguel Almiron made his first start since December; Sean Longstaff made the first XI for the first time since January; and Jamaal Lascelles and Javier Manquillo came into the starting line-up for the first time since last month.
Given how reluctant Howe has been to tweak a winning side, and make quite so many changes, this was a rare opportunity for the quartet to stake a claim not only for a place in the team but, also, to a lesser degree, to prove they could be a part of the club's future. Tellingly, despite so many changes in key positions, Newcastle were not adversely affected.
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