Newcastle United traveled to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side on the up, as new interim manager Guus Hiddink has led the home side in an unbeaten run since Jose Mourinho left.

The challenge still seemed tough one for a Newcastle outfit that had undergone a dramatic improvement against West Brom last week. Steve McClaren’s side were, on paper, looking good going into this match, having taken 13 points from Chelsea in the past three seasons; more than they have earned against any other team.

Although form seemed to swing in favour of the traveling side, the reality couldn’t have been more wrong and the result is best left to the history books.

Lack of fight and spirit

Before the game, Steve McClaren insisted his players had to "start strongly from the opening moments of the game”. From the beginning of the clash, it seemed as if the Newcastle players had quickly abandoned this prospect of determination and desire as they conceded three goals in the opening 17 minutes.

Rob Elliot was virtually left unprotected throughout as Fabricio Coloccini and the returning Steven Taylor were a truly shambolic partnership in central defence for the black and white side. Chelsea star Diego Costa savaged and plagued the heart of the defence, taking only five minutes to find the back of Elliot’s net. His early goal marked his seventh in eight games under Hiddink.

The early Blitzkrieg by Chelsea condemned Newcastle to a pitiful performance as mistakes categorised their game. The desire, spirit and fight seen at home against West Brom had been extinguished, illustrated from Rolando Aarons as he gave Pedro a gift of a goal as his back pass fell short of Elliot’s reach.

Second best to almost every ball. | Image source: Chelsea FC.
Second best to almost every ball. | Image source: Chelsea FC.

A Chelsea win or Newcastle loss? 

Judging from their recent winning streak, Chelsea are finally starting to find their form. Guus Hiddink’s appointment as interim manager has proven an invaluable decision for the Blues, who have put their troubles earlier in the season behind them.

Arguably the most perplexing question from this match is whether Newcastle were outplayed by the sheer dominance of a team unbeaten 10 games, or IF they caused their own downfall by result of continuous mistakes and absent passion.

Judging by the continued lack of fight in the second half, McClaren’s team were just woefully poor, perhaps the worst they have been in his tenure. The midfield was scythed apart by Chelsea, much like the defence. Players such as Cheick Tiote and Moussa Sissoko did not close the ball down efficiently and, as such, they left the back line vulnerable to Chelsea’s ruthless finishing.

Pedro claimed another goal in the second half after Taylor left him completely unmarked in the box, allowing the Chelsea man to calmly place the ball in the net. Bertrand Traore became the first player from Burkina Faso to score in the Premier League with his strike. A late consolation goal for Newcastle came from Andros Townsend, however the jubilation from the Magpies' single successful play of the match was by far outweighed by the misery inflicted upon their traveling fans.

Where do Newcastle go from here?

Newcastle United have season scored seven away goals this season, the worst record in the top four tiers of English football. The performance yesterday embodies the embarrassment and humiliation for a side that has won two out of 20 away matches and, at this current rate, Newcastle look like real relegation candidates.

McClaren is sending the team off to a training camp in Spain ahead of their important away clash at Stoke City in March, and the response to this game will be important for their survival hopes.

Having spent £80 million so far this season, it’s clear Newcastle have the potential quality to stay up in the Premier League. However, quality is not the only resource needed for survival. The players themselves have to stand up and embrace the passion and spirit that teams such as Leicester City showed when they saved themselves last season.

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