Chelsea made a nightmarish start at St James’ Park as Nick Woltemade gave Newcastle the lead after just three minutes following a bit of a goal-line scramble. The German scored again before the 20-minute mark.
But Chelsea regrouped after the break and got back into the game through Reece James’s wonderful free-kick, before levelling the game and earning a drawn from Joao Pedro’s one-on-one finish.
**_Dom Smith was at St James’ Park to rate the Chelsea players’ performances…_**
Made some fine saves in a first half when Chelsea were constantly under siege. Assisted the equaliser with an inch-perfect . Fair play.
Had a very difficult afternoon at right-back. Booked for an argument; the first player subbed off.
Was intercepted for the opening goal but other than that went about his business quite well.
One or two good turnovers of the ball, but was not entirely convincing and was part of a defence that was 2-0 down inside the first 20 minutes. Defended well after half-time.
Really struggled defensively. Got better after the break, just as Chelsea did on a whole, but still not a good display from the Spaniard.
He did not look his usual physical presence in midfield, but improved when he shifted to right-back - which came after he had got Chelsea back into the game with a magnificent free-kick. Made a goal-saving tackle after 78 minutes, and escaped a late red card.
Won the ball with blocks and interceptions but not as good as usual on the ball. Nearly scored a stunning late screamer.
Gradually grew in prominence. Garnacho should have passed to him on a couple of occasions but didn’t, which left the Portuguese fuming.
Tried to make things happen in a first half when few did. Lasted 79 minutes.
A poor performance from Chelsea’s midweek two-goal hero. Regularly lost the ball and kept shooting over the bar. Booked.
Had been very quiet but then did all the work himself from Sanchez’s long ball to equalise against the other team that tried to sign him in the summer.
**Enzo Fernandez (Gusto, 54’) 5**
Came on and provided plenty of hustle and bustle in midfield.
**Andrey Santos (Palmer, 79’) N/A**
Not used: _Jorgensen, Tosin, Badiashile, Hato, Acheampong, Guiu, Buonanotte_