Chelsea players enter a huddle surrounding Referee Paul Tierney on the half way line prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on March 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)placeholder image
Chelsea players enter a huddle surrounding Referee Paul Tierney on the half way line prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on March 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United beat Chelsea 1-0 but what happened pre-match dominated the headlines.
Anthony Gordon scored in the 18th minute as the Magpies managed to hold out to claim back-to-back Premier League wins and their first clean sheet since January.
It is United’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 2012 as they moved up to ninth in the table, closing the gap on the Blues in fifth to six points.
Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle United’s win at Chelsea
Reacting to the win, Howe told reporters: “Yeah, as I said on Friday, I wasn't aware the record was that bad here for us, so it's nice to end that and get the win on so many levels today.
“That was such an important victory with what we have coming up ahead this week with the two massive games.
“It's great to go into those games with the good feeling that we hav, and I thought the mentality, the effort today was very, very good. You mentioned the mentality and effort.
“It gives us huge belief. I think we needed to win today to give us any chance of winning in Barcelona and progressing through the Champions League. It's such a difficult game, but you need that confidence that winning gives you.
“That's back-to-back wins in the Premier League now, which is so important. We'll be in a better place for today and now all eyes are on Barcelona.
“We haven't had that consistent run of wins that we've had in every other season that I've been here. It's only by winning four or five games back-to-back that you can really elevate yourselves, and it's been missing. We've desperately tried to make it happen, but for whatever reason, it hasn't been there.
“I'd love to think that this is the start of that. Obviously, we're running out of games. We almost need to go in with the mindset we need to win every game now.”
Liam Rosenior launches referee rant after bizarre pre-match huddle
Ahead of kick-off, there was a bizarre moment when the Chelsea players trapped referee Paul Tierney in their pre-match team huddle.
Cole Palmer jokingly wrapped his arms around Tierney, who made no attempt to try and break free.
Asked about the incident, Howe replied: “It's got absolutely zero relevance to me. I was totally non-buosed by it. I don't pay any attention to things like that. It's not going to help us win or lose the game”
Explaining the huddle, manager Liam Rosenior defended his players and launched an attack on referee Paul Tierney after he denied Chelsea a second-half penalty when Cole Palmer went to ground under a challenge from Nick Woltemade.
“I'm disappointed,” said Rosenior. “There's more focus and emphasis on the things that don't matter. I'm going to make it really clear, I want to protect my players. I'm respectful to the game.
“My players made a decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership. That is not my decision. That was a decision between a leadership group and a team.
“There is nothing that they're doing with that huddle that is disrespectful to the opposition. Do you what was amazing? Before the game, it wasn't me. We had a meeting with the referee.
“My assistant goes in. The first thing he talks about is our huddle. He says about when I complained about Arsenal being in our half. It wasn't the goalkeeper coach that was in our half. We're not being disrespectful to the opposition.
“If Paul had focused more on his job, which was to make the right decision, we have a penalty today.
“I don't think anybody in this room can say that [Nick] Woltemade doesn't kick Cole Palmer down in the box, so, let's focus on the things that are important. My team showing unity is not as important as getting the decisions right on the pitch.”
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