Joe Willock Stunner Hands Chelsea Another Defeat
Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock’s stunner helped the Magpies to defeat Graham Potter’s side.
Having lost three out of their last four matches, Chelsea wanted to get back into the winning ways. However, Potter’s side were facing Newcastle United who lost only a single match throughout the whole season.
Graham Potter started with his 3-4-3 formation. Edouard Mendy played under the bar. Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, and Kalidou Koulibaly formed the back three. Ruben Loftus Cheek and Lewis Hall were the wingbacks. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho played at the base of the midfield. Mason Mount and Connor Gallagher were the double no.10s while Armando Broja led the forward line.
Chelsea suffered an early setback in the fifth minute of the game. The visiting lost Ruben Loftus-Cheek due to a muscle injury. Brazilian defender Thiago Silva then came to replace the injured English midfielder.
The first real chance of the game fell to the home side. Miguel Almiron who has been in tremendous form of late was found by Willock at the edge of the box. Almiron then unleashed a powerful volley that went over the crossbar.
Chelsea failed to create much in the first half. The Magpies then saw a penalty appeal getting turned down. Newcastle defender Dan Burn’s dangerous cross struck the arm of Trevoh Chalobah. The referee though decided to not award the home side a penalty.
The first half came to an end with a scoreline of 0-0. Newcastle kept the pressure on Chelsea even in the second half. The Blues custodian Mendy made a crucial save to deny Longstaff from close range in the 51st minute.
However 167 minutes after that, the home side finally opened the deadlock with a wonderful strike from Willock. Miguel Almiron made a surging run and carried the ball forward. The ball then fell into the path of an onrushing Willock who found the bottom corner of the net with a powerful strike.
Chelsea’s biggest threat came from a long-distance effort of Connor Gallagher. However, Nick Pope managed to keep the ball off target after pulling up a flying save. The match ended in a 1-0 win for the home side. After this gamer, Newcastle regained their third position in the EPL table.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s top four aspirations have taken another huge dent. The Blues will are now in eighth place with 21 points. They have now lost four out of their last five matches.
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