Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has made an interesting comment about St James’ Park after their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Blues put up a good fight despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half, but ultimately that one-man advantage worked in the Magpies’ favour, securing all three points in a huge game in the race for Champions League qualification.
Newcastle United moved to a sensational third with the win, establishing a four-point gap to seventh in the Premier League table. Eddie Howe’s side also took advantage of Man City’s surprise draw to Southampton.
Additionally, Arsenal dropped points against newly-crowned Premier League Champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, meaning Newcastle are only two points off second and can overtake Mikel Arteta’s side if they beat them at the Emirates Stadium in their next game.
Bruno Guimaraes told the Newcastle United players to dream big ahead of the game. The St James’ Park crowd will surely do the same thing after that performance because Champions League football is on the horizon.
With Chelsea left picking up the pieces from a devastating loss, Enzo Maresca has made a passing comment on St James’ Park that is sure to raise a few eyebrows.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca suggests St James’ Park crowd helped referee decisions
Losing to Newcastle is a bitter blow to Chelsea’s Champions League hopes. With two games to go, they must get results against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
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Maresca praised Sandro Tonali ahead of the game, his words proved accurate after less than two minutes, when the Italian scored a clever goal to open the scoring. Tonali put in a valiant effort to help his side secure the three points.
While Newcastle picked up the win, it could have been a different story had Chelsea not been reduced to 10 men when Nicolas Jackson was sent off for elbowing Sven Botman just 35 minutes into the game.
Howe was furious at Jackson’s elbow to Botman, and John Brooks had no choice but to send him off after being called to the VAR monitor to check the incident.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Maresca made a suggestion about the St James’ Park crowd which many will not agree with.
“For sure the red card affected the game,” he said.
“Against this team, in this stadium it’s already complicated and if you give them one extra player it’s difficult but overall I think, especially in the second half, we created big chances even with 10 players when it’s not easy.
“If the referee decides a red card it’s a red card but in some different decisions in this stadium sometimes it’s the noise decides if it’s a foul or not.”
Maresca may have missed that Moises Caicedo was not handed a booking despite committing four fouls and major protests from the crowd.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side make more history in Chelsea win
Now three points clear with two games to go, the feeling is that one more win will be enough to confirm a return to the Champions League.
The Magpies could have had it just about done and dusted had it not been for Aston Villa’s win against Bournemouth on Saturday evening. Howe’s side will surely be motivated to get the job done against an out-of-sorts Arsenal side on Sunday.
While fans celebrate the win, many may not realise how significant it was in another regard.
The win against Chelsea was Newcastle’s 20th of the Premier League campaign, the first time they have won 20+ games in a single season since the 2002/03 campaign.
Fans will be pleased to know Newcastle finished in the top three that season.