At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask. This was bare-faced robbery. United were robbed of their nine-match unbeaten run. Robbed of a deserved point. Robbed by a decision not to send off goalscorer Kai Havertz AND not to award the Mags a penalty.
No wonder it all leaves a sour taste especially with the winner coming just a minute from the end of normal time when Havertz should never have been on the field. His elbow smashed into the face of Dan Burn just before half-time producing an ugly swelling down the right hand side of his head but referee David Coote brandished just a yellow card when it was an obvious red.
Then to rub salt into a hurting wound Burn, so good yet again, switched off momentarily to allow Harvertz to steal a yard on him and hit a stunning winner with time running out. Coote also refused to give United a blatant penalty on 54 minutes when Trevoh Chalobah grabbed a huge chunk of Jacob Murphy's shirt holding on for dear life and then thrust a leg across him to bring him down.
READ MORE: Newcastle let down by officials and Chelsea's staff telling reaction
How unlucky were United, once again highly organised despite forced changes all over the park? They pressed high, won their physical battles, and denied Chelsea space in which to play. Let us remember that despite being sanctioned because of the company their owner keeps Chelsea are currently champions of Europe and the World which is literally as good as it gets in club football.
Packed with international superstars they came home for their first game since Roman's holiday was enforced but met their match. No way should Newcastle fans feel a bubble has been burst, nor a brake put on progress.
How far United have already travelled along Redemption Road is best illustrated by the fact that they had tasted victory only once in their first 20 Premier League fixtures this season yet arrived at Stamford Bridge having won six of their last seven matches. This is a work in progress. If Rome wasn't built in a day then neither will be Newcastle.
Building bricks were required before Hadrian's Wall was completed. Remember too that this was far from the current United. The whole of a much vaunted midfield - Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey - were out while there was no start for either Allan Saint-Maximin or Ryan Fraser.
Eddie Howe went with the likes of Sean Longstaff, Miggy Almiron, Jamaal Lascelles, and Jacob Murphy switching from a flat back four to three central defenders in the process yet United were comfortable and confident. Almiron smashed a terrific 22 yard volley which brought a good sprawling save from Edouard Mendy on the stroke of half-time and they continued to counter with danger right up to Havertz' killer effort.
The sheer delight and relief shown by Thomas Tuchel at his side's highway robbery on the blowing of the final whistle told its own story. Chelsea may be clear in third place, champions of Europe and the World, but they had gotten away with one!
Entertainers Reunion
A reunion of United's great Entertainers has been rescheduled for May. Top stars Rob Lee, John Beresford, Keith Gillespie and Steve Howey were due to front a dinner at the Grand Hotel in Gosforth on Friday April 8 but with United's PL match against Wolves being switched to that date for live TV it will now be held on Friday, May 13. Tickets already bought will of course be valid for the new date.
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