Newcastle United’s challenging start to the season persisted with a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea, leaving Eddie Howe’s team struggling in 12th place with only 12 points from their first ten matches. This loss marked Newcastle’s fifth consecutive match without a win, raising concerns about the team’s form and performance.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea took control early on, scoring in the 18th minute after a previous goal was disallowed. Nicolas Jackson capitalized on a well-placed cross from Pedro Neto, giving Chelsea the lead. However, Newcastle equalized shortly after, with Alexander Isak finding the net after being set up by Lewis Hall, who made an impressive return to his former club.
In the second half, Chelsea regained their advantage through Cole Palmer, who struck a decisive shot past Nick Pope at his near post. Despite the defeat, there were some bright spots for Newcastle, notably in the performances of Hall and midfielder Sandro Tonali. Hall, who recently completed a permanent transfer to Newcastle, stood out and received an 8/10 rating for his efforts, demonstrating both solid defensive skills and attacking intent.
Tonali also impressed in the midfield, earning a 7/10 for his creativity and influence on the game. Isak’s performance was commendable as well, also rated at 7/10, though he missed a crucial opportunity to level the score at 2-2. Conversely, some players struggled, most notably Miguel Almiron, who had a particularly lackluster game.
Almiron, starting his first Premier League match of the season, failed to make an impact. His statistics highlighted a poor performance: he managed only 19 touches—significantly fewer than goalkeeper Pope, who had 51—and he did not create any chances. With just eight successful passes out of 13 attempts and a disappointing pass accuracy of 62%, Almiron’s contributions were minimal, culminating in a 4/10 rating from journalists.
Given Almiron’s ineffective display, it is likely that Howe will consider dropping him for upcoming matches. With Anthony Gordon nearing a return from injury, the competition for spots in the forward line could see Almiron rotated out. Newcastle faces a demanding schedule ahead, including key fixtures against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, making it crucial for the team to regain form.
As Newcastle prepares for these challenges, the need for a more dynamic attack will be essential. The recent struggles have put pressure on Howe to make tough decisions regarding player selection and tactics to turn their season around. The potential inclusion of Gordon could provide the spark needed for Newcastle to improve their standings and shake off the disappointing start to the campaign.
