Back to the Future
Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United
Struggling for form? Can't buy a goal? Don't worry Werner, it's Newcastle up next.
You're the most expensive goalkeeper in the world! Dropped because you can't catch a cold? Need a clean sheet? Don't worry Arrizabalaga, it's Newcastle up next.
Another predictable performance at Stamford Bridge lead to yet another defeat for the Magpies in the Capital. Goals from early substitute Giroud and a one for a totally out of form and goal shy Werner would hand those who follow the Magpies yet another slap in the face.
Not to worry through. Steve Bruce saw 'a lot of positives' as he saw his side as 'excellent' in the second half. Honestly, what planet does the guy live on.
For their part, Newcastle did next to nothing to convince anyone that anything but a slow and steady decline into the bottom three was inevitable now. Lacklustre, toothless and without the high pressing and energy we briefly saw in a couple of recent games, this one was all too familiar a story.
And without Wilson for the next 8 weeks or so, we are watching the final acts of Newcastle's Premier League existence for many years to come.
Newcastle were on the back foot from the start. Those signed of a more attacking, more vibrant team that we'd seen in recent weeks seemed a million miles away.
An early hit straight down the throat of Darlow from full-back Alonso would also show the attacking intent of the home side who seemed to sniff blood from the first whistle against Bruce's shambles of a team.
It was Tammy Abraham who would then come close not once but twice. First flashing a header wide when well placed and then latching onto a through ball that would set him clean through with seemingly only the keeper to beat. But a wonderfully timed tackle from Lascelles, taking the ball whilst tackling from behind, would save an almost certain goal.
Abraham would pick up an injury as a result of that tackle, and only would come Giroud.
And wouldn't you know it, it was big Frenchman who would break the deadlock. Just 10 minutes after coming on he would be in the right place at the right time. Werner racing down the left and crossing fiercely into the centre where Darlow could only palm the ball back into the centre of the goal for Giroud to calmly side foot home.
Werner, a player who'd not scored a goal for 14 games and over 1000 minutes, would of course take his chance too.
This time a corner, finding it's way to the back post, would see Lewis lose his man and Werner would do the rest. Of course Newcastle would help him end his baron run!
At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea's new boss Tuchel had given a rare start to calamity keeper Arrizabalaga too. Perhaps United would see this as a weakness in the second half and try and find a way back into the game.
Tuchel and his Chelsea team needn't have worried. Nothing Bruce or his men would do would cause his side any real problems.
James, Mount and Werner would all go close again in the second half as the pressure on Darlow's goal remained constant.
Only a Willock header, with 15 minutes left on the clock would give Chelsea any cause for concern in this whole game as a matter of fact.
For as long as we've watched Bruce Ball unfold, we knew this wasn't going to end well.
Newcastle are dropping like a stone!
Match FACTFILE
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