English Premier League: Chelsea held to 1-1 draw by Newcastle
An ankle injury meant Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan missed the visit of Chelsea. Wayne Routledge replaced the midfielder. The home side were also without their suspended regular centre-back pair of Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini and so, Sol Campbell
and Steven Taylor started. Cheik Tiote replaced Alan Smith in the midfield. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti made only one change to the side that was beaten 1-0 at Birmingham last weekend: Jose Bosingwa replaced Paulo Ferreira at right-back.
Newcastle were quick off the mark. They had an early chance; a free-kick from the left was swung over and headed towards goal by Steven Taylor. Petr Cech was able to claw the ball away from goal but only as far as Shola Ameobi, eight yards out. The striker,
though, was unable to get his volleyed effort on target and hit the side-netting.
Chelsea’s defence was sixes and sevens in opening exchanges and it was a defensive howler that gifted Newcastle a goal, an ideal start. Newcastle deserved the goal because they started well, but it was a horror show for the champions. They gave it away in
midfield but Wayne Routledge was dispossessed by Jon Mikel Obi - only when Alex tried to pass it back to Petr Cech, he doesn't know the keeper had raced off his line and the ball rolled past Cech, which allowed Andy Carroll to sprint past him and knock into
the empty net.
At the other end, Newcastle keeper Tim Krul delayed a clearance and allowed Ramires to close him down, the ball flied off the midfielder's boot and behind for a goal kick.
Chelsea captain Didier Drogba got into a bit of space on the left of the Newcastle box and slammed in a fierce shot that Tim Krul tipped behind for a corner.
Brazilian Ramires tripped Argentine Jonas Gutierrez and the Chelsea man picked up a booking for his troubles. Bit of South American rivalry in that tackle.
Chelsea’s midfield was under intense pressure as Jon Mikel Obi gave the ball away several times. Chelsea struggled to get their fluid passing game going as Newcastle got on their faces each time they got the ball.
Ashley Cole was a bit unfortunate. Moments after accidentally booting Shola Ameobi up the backside, he latched on to Florent Malouda's pass inside the Newcastle box and seemed to be brought down by Cheik Tiote. Looked like a penalty, but nothing given.
Chelsea’s relentless pressure finally paid-off just before half-time, eventually the visitors found a way through as Florent Malouda flicked the ball to Salomon Kalou in the Magpies box, he turned on to his right foot and fired in a shot that took a deflection
off Jose Enrique and flied past Tim Krul.
Chelsea had been below par, but Salomon Kalou ensured the champions go into the break level after Alex's woeful error to gift Newcastle an early lead.
Carlo Ancelotti must have had some stern words with his players at half-time because players hurried and chased a lot more. Chelsea started to increase the pressure on Newcastle after the break, as hosts are pegged back in their own half. Ramires got into
a great position at the by-line on the right, but blazed miles over the bar.
Meanwhile, Didier Drogba thought he had won it for Chelsea as he collected a cross and smacked it into the net, but the Ivorian accidently controlled the ball with his arm so it was rightly ruled out. Newcastle took off Shola Ameobi and brought on Nile Ranger
as they look to settle for a draw.
Kalou should have sealed all three points for Chelsea. Nicolas Anelka crossed from the Chelsea left and Salomon Kalou initially did really well, chest-ting it down and then somehow bundled past two defenders and Tim Krul – he was three yards out, at an angle
on the left, empty net, and only to shoot wide. What a treble miss!! This summed-up the champions' afternoon.
Final Score: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Best, Kadar.
Booked: Tiote, Guthrie.
Goals: Carroll 6.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Mikel (Sturridge 80), Malouda, Anelka, Drogba, Kalou.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Booked: Ramires.
Goals: Kalou 45.
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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