Newcastle rediscover missing ingredient as Enzo Maresca's Chelsea gamble backfires

Reports of Newcastle United’s demise this season may have been greatly exaggerated.

Eddie Howe’s side blew Chelsea away in 26 minutes with the kind of intensity that has been missing. The Geordies finally found a formula that clicked allowing Alexander Isak to set up a win confirmed by an own goal by Axel Disasi.

Enzo Maresca paid the price of making 11 changes - including leaving Cole Palmer on the bench - and they were rattled by a superb start. Howe’s side have been off-key in the league, mid-table and mediocre, but this was a benchmark for a relaunch which hints at a revival and a tantalising crack at a Carabao Cup last eight tie.

This was the intense Toon of a year ago, on their game, pressing hard, tight and organised with Sandro Tonali running the show with the hard running legs of Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock either side. Newcastle resurrected their trademark opening 25-minute blitz of previous seasons, and were two up after 26 minutes.

The aggression of Newcastle’s press saw Renato Veiga forced into a risky pass on the edge of his box by Joelinton, and Tonali’s tackle on Enzo Fernandez teed up Alexander Isak. The Swede looked back to strength and slotted his second goal in four days from ten yards out.

Within two minutes they had another goal. The excellent Willock, building back after injury, rose to head Isak’s left wing cross at goal. Keeper Filip Jorgensen was unconvincing but had little chance when Alex Disasi bundled home for an own goal.

Newcastle have not won in five league games, and pressure has been building for a performance. The head coach was taken by surprise early in the game when a fan bellowed: “Eddie we love ya..” and was rewarded with a thumbs up.

Maresca made eleven changes and Howe rejigged his side resting Bruno Guimaraes, who will now have to prove he too can be this intense. Lloyd Kelly was in for Dan Burn only to present Chelsea with a chance within 60 seconds but Christopher Nkunku hit a weak shot at Nick Pope.

Howe played Joelinton as a power left winger with Willock tucked inside, and the pair combined to make United’s first chance. Willock’s cross from the right found the Brazilian free at the back post but he made a scuffed contact.

Chelsea has a big threat on the break. Felix robbed Fabian Schar and sprinted to the edge of the box before blasting over. Kelly later made a goal saving tackle on Felix who also had two shots saved by Pope and was Chelsea’s star man.

But he missed a great chance 15 minutes from time through on goal, shortly after Longstaff had a goal ruled out for offside.

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