Reece James lined up for Chelsea in midfield against Newcastle United.
The early Saturday kick-off catching the visitors cold.
As within three minutes, an all action Newcastle United side had won back possession and within seconds the ball was in the back of the Chelsea net.
Gordon winning the ball back and then when Murphy delivered his right wing cross, the former Everton player saw his effort denied by the Chelsea keeper but Nick Woltemade smashing home the rebound.
Newcastle were swarming all over Reece James and his Chelsea teammates, with then on 20 minutes United making it 2-0. Gordon the cross and Big Nick getting his second.
Many people saw the contest as over AND it should have been by the break.
Instead of 2-0, a 4-0 or 5-0 half-time scoreline would have been fair based on performance and chances created in the opening 45.
Speaking to official Chelsea media, Reece James surprisingly honest and admitting; “Newcastle got the better of us in every department in the first half. They won too many second balls that we needed to tighten up on.”
The first half also some appalling displays by the on the pitch referee and the VAR.
United somehow denied a penalty when Fofana clearly handled and then Garnacho only getting a yellow for an obvious sending off offence, going over the top with his studs on Ramsey with no attempt to play the ball.
Four minutes after the break it was 2-1, Reece James scoring with a very good free-kick BUT from 30+ yards out it should have still been saved by Ramsdale for sure.
Reece James saying that; “One goal changes the game and we knew if we got one, the second one for sure was there.”
Well it did become 2-2 on 66 minutes when Thiaw defended poorly against Pedro and then slipped.
However, it could only become 2-2 due to the match officials failing to give one of the most obvious penalties you could ever see. Chalobah steaming into Gordon in the penalty area with no intention of trying to play the ball.
Eddie Howe had won all four home games with NUFC against Chelsea, with the team scoring nine goals and conceded only one. The most recent of that run had been the victory in May that ended up ensuring Newcastle qualified for the Champions League.
Reece James reflecting; “Last year (season) we came here and lost [2-0], this time though we have come from 2-0 down in a difficult game.”
The England player confessing how fortunate Chelsea were, especially how they were taken apart in the first 45; “We were happy to take a point considering the first half.”
Reece James also keen to say how tough it is to come to St James’ Park and get a positive result; “It is a difficult place to come and any teams come here and the atmosphere gets the better of them, we couldn’t win but it is important when you can’t win, not to lose.’
Reece James should also count his lucky stars that the match officials continued their disastrous performances.
The Chelsea player challenging Harvey Barnes in the box and taking the man instead of the ball, yet still no VAR intervention.
Then Barnes through on goal again and Reece James the nearest chasing player, pulling the Newcastle player back just outside the penalty area. Incredibly no red card and no dangerous free-kick right on the edge of the box.
Chelsea did play better the second half but in reality, Newcastle United should have won this by a distance.
Which they would have done if taking half their great chances and/or if the match officials had done their jobs properly.