By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At St. James' Park

 

 

Newcastle United 2 (Perez 42, Wijnaldum 60)

Chelsea 2 (Ramires 79, Willian 87)

Newcastle United put an end to their four-game losing streak with a 2-2 draw at home against Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea on Saturday.

Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum gave the Magpies a two-goal lead at St. James' Park, only for Chelsea to hit back with a couple of late efforts from substitutes Ramires and Willian.

United dominated the first period, with Aleksandar Mitrovic, Moussa Sissoko and Daryl Janmaat all threatening before Perez pounced in the 42nd minute, volleying home after Blues defender Kurt Zouma had failed to deal with Vurnon Anita's delivery from the right touchline

That was the perfect end to the first half, and things got even better for the hosts on the hour mark when Perez turned provider to plant a corner onto the head of Wijnaldum, who glanced in at the Gallowgate End.

Ramires halved the deficit with time ticking away, finding the top corner from 30 yards, and just as it looked as though Newcastle could hang on for their first league win of the season, Willian's free-kick snuck in.

Despite letting slip a two-goal lead, head coach Steve McClaren will be delighted with the performance of his players, who displayed character, quality and attacking intent in abundance, and will look to build on the result at Manchester City in next weekend.

Less than four minutes were on the clock when Chelsea fired the first warning shot, through centre-back Zouma.

Awarded a free-kick 25 yards out, it looked as though Cesc Fabregas would be the man to curl it over the wall, however Zouma pulled the trigger instead - opting for power - but couldn't direct his effort on target.

Loic Remy was next to try his luck, stabbing a difficult chance wide from ten yards after Branislav Ivanovic had got to the byline and fired the ball back into his path.

But United had by no means made a poor start to proceedings and threatened for the first time in the 16th minute.

When full debutant Kevin Mbabu played the ball into Georginio Wijnaldum's feet on the halfway line there appeared little on, but the Dutch international spun Ivanovic and duly raced away from the full-back, delivering an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Mitrovic which, under pressure, he glanced narrowly wide.

The hosts had the bit between their teeth and seconds later Sissoko was inches away with an angled drive, shortly before Perez suffered the same fate from a similar position.

With the half-hour mark approaching, Perez and Janmaat both drew saves from Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic - as Newcastle showed more attacking intent in the opening exchanges than their two previous home games combined.

But the Premier League champions remain a dangerous force, even after a disappointing start to the campaign, and Tim Krul had to be at his best to claw away Fabregas' long-ranger which was destined for the top corner.

However, the Magpies were soon back on the front foot and deservedly broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval.

From wide on the right Anita lofted a ball into the danger zone which Zouma completely misjudged, allowing it to drop over his head.

And there was Perez, lurking in between the centre-half and Ivanovic, to take a touch and impressively volley home his first goal of the season.

Chelsea came roaring out of the traps at the start of the second half - as expected - but only had an off-target Remy header to show for their early endeavours.

Their pressure was building but Newcastle were defending like warriors and on the hour mark doubled their advantage.

Perez turned provider for this one, whipping in a corner from the right, which Wijnaldum met and nodded down into the bottom corner, past the despairing dive of Begovic.

The Blues introduced Radamel Falco, Willian and Ramires in a bid to get a foothold back in the contest, and in the 79th minute they did just that, halving the deficit with a stunning strike.

Zouma's inch perfect diagonal pass gave Eden Hazard the freedom to cut in off the left flank, and the Belgian teed up Ramires, who let fly from 30 yards with a thunderous drive which flew into the top corner.

And they got back on terms thanks to another one of the replacements - Willian - with three minutes remaining.

The Brazilian's inswinging free-kick sailed through the penalty area and clutch of bodies without a touch and somehow made its way into the back of the net at the Leazes End.

Chelsea almost won it with time ticking away, from another free-kick, as Ramires stole ahead of substitute Ivan Toney to plant a free header goalwards. But Krul was equal to the effort and kept the Magpies' point in tact.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Kevin Mbabu; Moussa Sissoko (Siem de Jong 90), Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback (Gabriel Obertan 53), Georginio Wijnaldum; Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic (Ivan Toney 84)

 

Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Jamaal Lascelles, Mike Williamson, Florian Thauvin 

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Asmir Begovic; Branislav Ivanovic (c), Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta; Nemanja Matic (Willian 61), Cesc Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar (Ramires 73), Eden Hazard; Loic Remy (Radamel Falco 61)

 

Subs not used: Jamal Blackman, John Terry, John Obi Mikel, Kenedy

 

 

Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)

Bookings: Newcastle United - Colback (33); Chelsea - Ivanovic (68), Pedro (90)

Attendance: 48,682