Opinion
**Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 – Sunday 11 May 12pm**
Instant fan / writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
**Nat Seaton:**
_‘WHAT A PERFORMANCE !!_
_Massive win brought about by every player being ‘on it’._
_Injuries dictated the change in formation and thankfully it worked._
_Well done to everyone involved, players, staff, fans… one of those days where you are so grateful to be there.’_
**David Punton:**
_‘A high noon showdown with much at stake – and despite some hard slog in the second half we’ve come through this huge game, got the win, and are now close to sealing a Champion League place. Wow._
_Let’s be honest, that second half was pretty poor against ten men, albeit Chelsea._
_There was big pressure on today and you could tell._
_The second goal from Bruno put a lovely slant on things and one never tires of beating this lot._
_The big moments came in the first half._
_The early goal from Sandro Tonali was absolutely huge and then the deserved red card for Jackson gave the visitors a mountain to climb._
_Swathes of this game weren’t pretty – but it’s job done for Howe and his players.’_
**Billy Miller:**
_‘At 1-0 with an extra man and after a dominant first half performance, I fancied the team from London might be facing a blitz._
_Instead it was a scruffy and tense second half until a beautiful, bending boomer from Bruno sealed the win._
_Champions League is not only in our hands but tightly in our grasp._
_If Arsenal fail to win today, our sights should be on 2nd, not 5th.’_
**Bazoox:**
_‘Everything went right in the first half, an early goal, Chelsea down to ten men._
_What happened in the second half was quite frankly embarrassing._
_If Chelsea had eleven on the pitch they would have easily taken the spoils._
_Thank the Lord for Saint Bruno and I’m now going for a cigar because I cannot find my pipe.’_
**Mark Jankowski:**
_‘A dream start ended up being a much harder 3 points than it maybe should have been._
_Credit to Chelsea, they gave everything they could given the circumstances but, aside from a couple of half chances, it was all effort with no threat._
_We’re so very nearly there, for what would be the best season of my life.’_
**Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…:**
_‘What a relief after watching eleven men against ten – remind me who had the extra man – because for most of the second half it didn’t seem like us._
_All eyes on Anfield now._
_If the scousers don’t lose, runners up spot is a distinct possibility._
_Either way, that’s a massive step towards Champions League qualification._
_Off for a few beers in the afternoon sun.’_
**Tony Mallabar:**
_‘Terry Timewarp, Uncle Richard, the new fan flow system at Fulham Broadway tube station and Terry Leather, your boys took one hell of a beating._
_“Well, maybe not ,but our 2-0 puts us on the brink of the Champions League._
_Fair play to the Chelsea fans making it up for a 12pm ko._
_Normally I don’t care how other teams’ results affect us, and it would be nice to finish 2nd, but I cannot cheer on unluckypool today.’_
**Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 – Sunday 11 May 12pm**
(Stats via [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cj454ev14l2t#MatchStats))
**Goals:**
**Newcastle United:**
Tonali 2, Bruno 90
**Chelsea:**
Jackson red card 35
**Possession** was Newcastle 45% Chelsea 55%
**Total shots** were Newcastle 15 Chelsea 10
**Shots on target** were Newcastle 6 Chelsea 3
**Corners** were Newcastle 2 Chelsea 8
**Touches in the box** Newcastle 39 Chelsea 22
**Newcastle United team v Chelsea****:**
Pope, Botman (Miley 55), Schar, Burn, Livramento, Gordon (Krafth 65), Tonali, Bruno (Longstaff 94), Barnes, Isak (Wilson 94), Murphy
**Subs:**
Dubravka, Lascelles, Osula, Neave, Ruddy
**The remaining Newcastle United match schedule:**
**Sunday 18 May –** Arsenal v Newcastle (4.30pm) Sky Sports
**Sunday 25 May –** Newcastle v Everton (4pm)
(Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 – First half good, second half tense! Read [HERE](https://www.themag.co.uk/2025/05/newcastle-2-chelsea-0-first-half-good-second-half-tense-newcastle-united/))