Newcastle United made a convincing move toward Champions League qualification with a calm 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea at St. James’ Park on Sunday. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães scored the goals, while Nicolas Jackson’s red card in the first half was expensive for the visitors in a game that had huge European stakes.
The victory brings Newcastle to 66 points in third position, and they now have a precious three-point lead over the Blues for a top-five finish. The Magpies now hold a firm grasp on a return to Europe’s premier competition with only two games remaining in the season.
Red Card for Chelsea’s Jackson Shifted Game’s Momentum
Chelsea went into the match with a huge amount of pressure, aware that anything other than a victory could threaten to ruin their chances of Champions League qualification. Yet, they were met with disaster straight away as Sandro Tonali gave them the opening goal within two minutes. The midfielder met Jacob Murphy’s low cross at the far post, catching Chelsea’s defense with a momentary lapse in concentration.
Things went rapidly downhill for Enzo Maresca’s team. Nicolas Jackson, who was already on yellow, was at the eye of the storm in the 35th minute. A long VAR check determined that Jackson had intentionally used his elbow to meet Dan Burn, earning him a straight red card that left Chelsea down a man with more than half the game remaining.
The sending off totally changed the momentum of the game, providing Newcastle with more control as well as denying Chelsea their main goal-scoring option.
Guimarães Caps Off Dominant Display
In spite of playing with only 10 men, Chelsea dug deep in the second half. The Blues had extended periods of possession and created half-opportunities that made Newcastle take up a defensive stance. Eddie Howe reacted by making tactical changes to beef up the midfield and defense, including the injection of new legs to stem Chelsea’s final spurt.
The Magpies soaked up the pressure and bided their time, looking to catch their opponents out. And they did exactly that in the 90th minute, when Bruno Guimarães picked up the ball on the byline and struck a shot with deflection past the reach of Djordje Petrović. The strike not only secured all three points but also highlighted Newcastle’s discipline under pressure.
European Race Takes New Turn
The Newcastle Champions League challenge now appears more likely than ever, with the side sitting pretty in third and being in their own hands going into the last games of the season. Chelsea, however, are in a perilous situation. They stay fifth, on the same points as Aston Villa, but their final two games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will require them to be perfect if they are to remain in the top five.
With Nottingham Forest facing already-relegated Leicester City later on, the pressure is increasingly building on the Blues. Their disciplinary woes and inconsistent form may prove disastrous in the last few games. Newcastle’s emergence this term under Howe has been characterized by solidity at the back, opportunistic finishing, and solidity on their own pitch. Their recent victory illustrates the strengths that have powered their resurgence.
Newcastle’s win against Chelsea is a turning point in the struggle for Champions League places. With the Magpies now soundly entrenched in third position, their route to Europe’s premier competition is set—albeit Chelsea will have to bounce back pronto if they are to remain in the running.
Will Newcastle maintain their third position? Let us know in the comments!
