CHELSEA made 11 changes once again and this time it cost them with Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi off the pace.
Only Mykhailo Mudryk can come out of the match with any credit as Chelsea were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by a resurgent Newcastle.
The Blues came out on top when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge on Sunday – but that was with their first string out.
Enzo Maresca wrung the changes once again at St James’ Park and the match unravelled quickly as Toon scored twice in three minutes.
Two defensive lapses cost Chelsea with Disasi firing in a comical own goal minutes after Renato Veiga was forced to surrender possession in the build-up to Newcastle’s opener after receiving a hospital pass from Badiashile.
Chelsea threatened to mount a comeback with Joao Felix stinging the palms of Nick Pope.
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But after the break they were frustrated by Newcastle’s low block and huffed and puffed without finding a way back into the match.
Newcastle almost put the final nail in the coffin when Sean Longstaff headed in, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
Here is how Craig Mahood rated the Chelsea display.
Filip Jorgensen – 6
Nervy start when flapping at an early cross and a couple of wayward kicks going out.
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Struggled in parts with the ball at his feet including a pass straight to Tonali in the first half. Not much to do in the second half.
Axel Disasi – 6
Looked uncomfortable for large spells at right-back in duels with Joelinton in the first half and couldn’t sort his feet out when scoring an own goal.
Didn’t have much defending to do after the break but offered little in attack.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6
Best of the back line but not a difficult task. Looks like a player is there if he can get more minutes as marshalled Isak well for much of the contest.
Benoit Badiashile – 5
Shocker of a pass to Veiga for Newcastle’s opener before being booked for a foul on Krafth.
Terrible touch right on half time let Gordon clear and fortunate Willock missed from close range.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Huffed and puffed down the left-hand side and defended reasonably well against Gordon for most of the night.
Tried to link with Mudryk but a frustrating night meant he didn’t get as involved.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Chelsea skipper saw plenty of the ball but didn’t create much of note on it.
Looked to be missing the creative spark that would normally play alongside him in there.
Renato Veiga – 6
Largely anonymous in the middle as kept possession moving but was caught on it for the opening Newcastle goal, though not really his fault.
Stung the palms of Pope late on but didn’t create much in that position.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 5
Should’ve scored in opening 90 seconds with glorious chance.
On the fringes of the game throughout and struggled to get involved. Hooked before the hour.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
Quiet first half hour before bursting clear of Krafth later in half. Appeared to gainconfidence in the second half and was a threat when he did get the ball on the left.
His final ball missing a few times but would’ve had an assist or two on another evening. Chelsea will be hoping this isn’t a flash in the pan.
Joao Felix – 5
Another one that showed very, very brief flashes. Should’ve scored when clean through with 15 minutes to go which might’ve changed the game.
Frustrations of a difficult night shown when booked for dissent in closing stages.
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Subs
Noni Madueke – 6
Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour.
Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
