Chelsea stage two-goal rally to draw at Newcastle

Alan Shearer has previewed the Newcastle v Chelsea clash on Saturday teatime and admits he is struggling to find any positives for a United side still to win a Premier League match.

The Toons dominated the first half, taking advantage of their opponent’s slow reactions.

The draw left the Londoners in 15th place with eight points from seven games and Newcastle second from bottom on three.

Substitute Ramires hauled Chelsea out of a potential crisis after his late introduction, firing an unstoppable shot past Tim Krul to bring his side back into the game, and also playing his part in deceiving the keeper as Willian’s free-kick dribbled in for the equaliser.

“Ramires and Willian moved the game on”. Whether Kurt Zouma will feature after his “cheat” comments about his team-mate remain unclear, but the defender quickly apologised and has looked solid in the Blues’ backline when called upon.

Mourinho had plenty to say at the interval – enough to keep Newcastle waiting on the pitch before the Chelsea team re-emerged, but his words had little impact and the manager was preparing two substitutions when Newcastle added their second goal on the hour.

Chelsea could have no complaints about being behind at that stage as their own first-half efforts were fitful at best.

Chelsea produced the expected riposte after the interval and nearly levelled when Remy headed Oscar’s cross just wide but they failed to make the most of their dominance and Newcastle capitalised. In doubt: Sylvain Marveaux (groin), Cheick Tioté (knee), Jack Colback, Rolando Aarons (calf), Daryl Janmaat (illness).

Chelsea FC would have gotten a third goal if Ramires’ 89th minute header had beaten the goalkeeper. “When you have so many bad individual performances, it’s impossible for a team to be a team”. The key thing that we have talked about is that we are going through change and change is painful, it’s hard, it’s tough. We told the players to end the week well, and their attitudes were magnificent.

The Magpies went into the game reeling from their humiliating midweek League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, but hardly looked a team devoid of confidence as they tore into Chelsea from the outset. That was more like it. That’s the benchmark now.