Enzo Maresca looks on during a Chelsea game
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea made a horrific start against Newcastle
Well into added time, Eddie Howe decided to make a couple of substitutions, not an uncommon ploy for a manager with a lead and one eye on the clock.
But this switch was not about time-wasting - the players withdrawn were Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes. This was man-management, Howe-style, giving St James’ Park the opportunity to acclaim two players who have led from the front in a campaign that is, more than likely, going to bring Champions League football back to St James’ Park.
Guimaraes put in yet another captain’s performance, capped by the late strike that confirmed a victory that puts Howe’s side in pole position for a top-five finish but leaves Chelsea with a hill to climb.
And while Isak did not have his most effective game, had Chelsea possessed a striker of his class and game-intelligence, then they might not have lost this game. And had Chelsea a manager with Howe’s nous this season, they might not be worrying about whether or not they will be at Europe’s top table next season.
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Because the kindest observation you could make about Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge of Chelsea is that the jury remains out. And the deployment of Moises Caicedo as some sort of hybrid right-back/midfielder will not be bringing in the jurors any time soon.
The full-back role is not Caicedo’s forte, to say the least, and his first spot of trouble with Anthony Gordon led to the Newcastle opener inside two minutes.
In fairness, after Caicedo had tangled with Gordon, his team-mates should have taken care of the situation but Sandro Tonali was more tenacious and, after regaining possession, was on hand to turn in Jacob Murphy’s pass.
Nicolas Jackson was sent off against Newcastle following a VAR review
Nicolas Jackson was sent off following a VAR review
But when the verdict on Maresca arrives, mitigating factors such as player-stupidity will have to be taken into account. Nicolas Jackson did not banjo Sven Botman with his elbow but he led forcefully with his arm after having a sly look at the Newcastle defender. The only problem with a sly look is that VAR makes slyness redundant. John Brooks’ original yellow was for recklessness and the replays confirmed the intent, hence the upgrade to red.
That is the end of Jackson’s season and confirmation that he is probably not Chelsea’s attacking future.
At least the dismissal - and some decisions from Brooks that were favourable to the home side - lit some sort of fire in Chelsea ranks and the introduction of Reece James actually gave their line-up a more balanced look.
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates after scoring for Newcastle against Chelsea
Captain fantastic Bruno Guimaraes sealed a big win for Newcastle ( Image: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United)
But without a recognised striker and a man down, the Chelsea threat was always going to be minimal. This is a team that has a lot of threat on the flanks and next to none through the middle. And a lot of that threat came from Marc Cucurella, whose strike just after the hour mark brought the first serious save out of Nick Pope.
That Chelsea were the dominant team after having their numbers reduced was a touch surprising but, on the other hand, it meant Caicedo was back in his proper position. That he was not there in the first place had been bizarre.
But for all their superiority, clear chances were at a premium and a deflected hit from Guimaraes reinforced his hero status in these parts. But just in case, Howe made sure he got the ovation he deserves.
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