Playing at toon on Sunday 11am EST / 8am PST. Considered as something of a bogey side we have struggled away from home against them. In our last 5 matches at St James' Park we have lost 4 and drawn the other. If we were to win, that would possibly be our most impressive result of the season so far. Our last win was 2011 so we are due. Hazard seems likely to make his first start of the season. I would also love to see Kovacic start (no disrespect to Ross who has done well with his starts but Kovacic looked different gravy). Despite the record we have there, I'm confident going into Sunday, especially with a nearly fully available squad.
Here's the Chelsea team to take on Newcastle... #NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/DqGqdBR5Pi— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2018
interesting Jorginho Kante seem to be playing more level, pivoting up with the attack on their side and the other side shading to cover back, a good sign
Newcastle have been well set up and are all big solid lumps we need to keep an eye on Rondon when they play the out ball
though I know at least one who will disagree, think we miss Willian's ability to rapidly dribble, carry and speed by and eliminate 3 or 4 defenders, even with 9 back. Hazard can but he does not get/play as far back, nor do we want him too plus two such threats are good, and i meant rather than Pedro who's forte lies in more open games with more space to weave thru
This is akin to a cagey game of rugby union. Lots of passing across the line, proving the defensive line for a gap and recycling again and again. Not thrilling but a lot here for those who really enjoy tactical football. We are going to see this a lot this season so going to need to be inventive and not just rely on magic moments.
Also, the ref is calling very few of the late hacks and niggles against players like hazard which plays right into newcastle's hands. Would like to see some of those whistled.
some passing aside, Kante looks more comfortable today and nicely winning some balls in or near their box
How Kovacic is the only player with a yellow is remarkable. Hazard needs to trust the system a bit more. He’s dropping too deep.
For all our hundreds of passes we have not really created much. We are not breaking through by passing so I would like to see someone take them on and at least draw the foul. Is this supposed to be entertaining ? It's not for me but at least we are not loosing like last time. The ref believes that this is a big boys game and is not going to give anything for a nudge or two. Raffa will keep this up for the next 30 minutes and then go for it in the last 15.
Knocking it around well enough today but not utilizing the space well enough. Dave not pushing forward much means we don't have the outlet down the right and it allows them to congest centrally. Our best openings have stemmed from our own mistakes. They are on the back foot so often that any glimpse and they start to over commit. Wouldn't be surprised if we see a loose ball going back 'accidentally' allowing us to exploit the space that opens up. Need to start taking more risks and that should include giving Newcastle an incentive to push men forward.
I didn’t think we’d see Kovecic so soon. Sarri seemed to be taking a very conservative approach (and seemed like he really dug Barkley). If we switched out Luiz for AC and Pedro for Willian, it’d be perfect for me.
I expect we’re not seeing Willian because he wants one winger who’s more of a runner/scorer than a creative player.