Newcastle United drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, but that’s barely the story as a shockingly diabolical refereeing performance, mixed with our familiar failings, saw the game swing wildly from excellent/peak NUFC under Eddie Howe to almost the biggest disaster result of the season so far.
Nick Woltemade grabbed a brace in the opening 20 minutes, before second-half goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro saw the points shared.
Starting with the good from yesterday, here are two things I liked from the game:
**L**i**ked: First half performance**
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We should not let the diasterclass from the ref and VAR detract from what was a scintillating opening 45-minute display from Newcastle. United were everything we ever ask from them: committed, quick in the tackle, pressing like men possessed, winning the ball high in Chelsea’s final third, it was probably the best performance since Liverpool in August, and it deservedly had us 2-0 at half time.
Nick Woltemade’s brace was the cherry on the icing on the top of the cake (one a real poachers finish, the other an excellent run across his man and neat finish to steer the ball into the bottom corner) as the German looked to put his derby nightmare behind him as he moved onto nine goals for the season.
Anthony Gordon was impressive, the two Lewis’ were brilliant (more on them below), Tonali covered every blade of grass, and we made light of recent poor displays by actually looking like a top side again as Chelsea looked battered, outfought, and outthought. It’s just a shame what happened next…
**Liked: The two Lewis’**
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With the mounting defensive injury crisis, it was a huge positive that Lewis Hall was passed fit to play and he was so good in the first half he barely gave Pedro Neto a sniff and he was compared to Paolo Maldini by Ally McCoist. A huge compliment and thoroughly deserved as he was electric going forward to, and Hall just needs to continue this path, and we’ll have one of the best LBs in the country.
Special mention for his namesake too, Lewis Miley, who playing out of position at RB was excellent again. Could he be converted? Hopefully, that won’t be needed, but he has really stepped up in the unfamiliar position and saved a few blushes from our crippling injuries at right fullback.
United now have the longest break they’ll have in a while with six days rest, and the gaffer must find a way to use it effectively before we face Man Utd on Boxing Day.
Merry Christmas. HWTL