Nick Woltemade scored twice for Newcastle United in the first-half v Chelsea as Premier League release statementplaceholder image
Nick Woltemade scored twice for Newcastle United in the first-half v Chelsea as Premier League release statement | Getty Images
Newcastle United latest news: The Premier League released a statement during Newcastle United v Chelsea.
The Magpies, fresh off the back of a late win against Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek, returned to St James’ Park aiming to take points off a side they will hope to be challenging with for European football come the end of the season. Eddie Howe had a defensive injury crisis to deal with ahead of the clash with the Blues, although he was able to recall Lewis Hall to the matchday squad after he missed out on Wednesday night with a ‘minor hamstring injury’.
And it didn’t take the hosts long to make their mark on this game as Woltemade, one of four changes to Howe’s starting XI, smashed home from close range to give his side the lead. Woltemade was in the right place at the right time to knock home a rebound off Robert Sanchez into the roof of the Leazes net.
The Blues goalkeeper had just made a sublime save from Anthony Gordon at point-blank range, but couldn’t do anything to prevent the German from netting. Woltemade was there again, just over 15 minutes later, to add a second - although that was only ratified after a long VAR check.
Premier League release Newcastle United v Chelsea statement
Having been awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, Newcastle United flooded the area looking for a second goal. However, a tidy routine between Hall and Gordon on the left resulted in a wicked ball being delivered for Woltemade to tap home past Sanchez.
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As Newcastle celebrated, though, a dreaded VAR check was taking place in the background. The technology was focused on whether Woltemade had strayed offside as Gordon played the ball to him.
It was a very, very tight call with Woltemade’s shoulder looking very close to straying ahead of the last defender. Fortunately for the vast majority in the stadium, VAR showed that Woltemade had just stayed onside and Andy Madley pointed for the goal.
As ever, the Premier League Match Centre on X explained the decision, providing an explanation on why it took so long to make. They wrote: ‘#NEWCHE – 20’ The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Woltemade in an onside position. Due to technical issues, Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) wasn't available during the VAR check. The VAR was required to manually construct lines in determining this decision.’
Having led their visitors by two goals inside 20 minutes on Tyneside, the Magpies pushed for a third before the break but couldn’t find their way past Sanchez again. Chelsea, meanwhile, did also push hard for a route back into the game but were met with stiff resistance by their hosts.
Aaron Ramsdale, making yet another start in Nick Pope's continued absence through injury, barely had a save to make during the first 45 minutes but was beaten just after the break by Reece James’ free-kick.
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