Online Reporter
ANTHONY Gordon will never be the most popular Ant on Tyneside.
But as the Toon Army’s most famous celebrity duo watched from the posh seats, the makeshift centre Scouse centre forward gave Newcastle a Saturday Night Takeaway of three points.
Gordon’s first-half goal against the run of play was enough to give Ant and Dec, Jimmy Nail, Sam Fender and anyone else connected with the club a real boost going into next week’s Champions League showdown with Barcelona.
But for Chelsea and Liam Rosenior this was another big blow after their European disappointment.
Too many of the Blues’ best players were well below par as they struggled to break down the visitors, who defended their lead defiantly.
Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro were all off the boil.
It is too early to say the fickle Stamford Bridge crowd is turning against Rosenior.
Or to believe he is under real pressure from his bosses just yet, despite the worst week of his reign.
But Rosenior and his team still have work to do to qualify for the Champions League and they will be relying on the weaknesses of others if they keep playing like this.
Before kick-off, Chelsea fans in the Matthew Harding Stand held aloft a tifo celebrating Reece James, the captain and Cobham Academy graduate whose new contract was announced on Friday.
The massive flag depicted James holding the CL trophy he won with the Blues back in 2021 under then boss Thomas Tuchel – and the England head coach was in the stands to see it.
But Chelsea’s return to Europe’s blue riband competition is set to end here on Tuesday night after the late collapse that led to a 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 first leg.
The man whose error gifted PSG their crucial third goal, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, was missing from the squad.
A groin injury was the reason given, which was as convenient as news of James’ new deal emerging right after springtime in Paris turned sour. Back came Robert Sanchez in the strongest 11 Rosenior could have put out, reflecting the fact Chelsea’s priority must now be to qualify for next season’s competition.
In contrast, Newcastle are well in their tie against Barca and started the game like they were saving themselves for Wednesday.
Boss Eddie Howe’s set-up seemed wrong as Chelsea regularly found space through the middle, with Palmer drifting in off the right.
But his struggles continue. –The Sun
