Trailing 2-0 at the break at Newcastle, Chelsea managed to turn things around and snatch a valuable draw, to spare their coach Enzo Maresca further criticism, Saturday at St James’s Park during the 17th day of the English championship.
This small point does not do the business of either team: Newcastle remains in the second half of the table (11th) while Chelsea (4th) could be ten points behind Arsenal this evening in the event of a victory for the leader at Everton (9 p.m.). But this comeback from the Blues was essential for Maresca after a turbulent week marked by questions about the long-term future of the Italian at the head of the London team while his rotation policy sometimes gave the impression of a disorganized and poorly structured team. Furthermore, according to British media, Manchester City would have included Maresca on a list of candidates to succeed Pep Guardiola if the latter were to leave the club at the end of the season. Enough to add to the agitation around the Italian coach.
Not very present in the duels in the first twenty minutes, the Blues were also overwhelmed by the liveliness of Anthony Gordon, involved in the two goals of his offensive friend Nick Woltemade. The German center forward each time took advantage of the lack of responsiveness of Chelsea’s central defense to score, first from close range (4th), then with the tip of his foot, at the extreme limit of offside, on a perfect cross from Gordon (20th, 2-0). Woltemade almost scored an almost identical goal, just before the break.
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The Londoners’ reaction arrived at the start of the second half, with a perfect free kick from Reece James (49th, 2-1), in what was their first shot on target. More dominant, but not very impactful, and above all saved by a questionable refereeing decision after a charge by Trevoh Chalobah on Gordon in the penalty area (54th), Enzo Maresca’s players took advantage of a run from Joao Pedro, after a slip from Malick Thiaw, to equalize (66th, 2-2). The last half hour, very lively, was marked by an almost constant back and forth between the two camps, Newcastle however being the most dangerous, notably with a volley from Harvey Barnes barely missing the target (85th).
