Newcastle United Shows It Is Ready For Champions League In Chelsea Win

You could tell St James’ Park meant business much earlier than usual on Sunday. It was the time of the week when most people are usually taking things easily, relaxing before going back to work and enjoying down time. But Newcastle United had an in-form Chelsea team to beat and a Champions League place to earn; the call to arms was sounded and the city responded. It was loud, raucous, different but familiar.

Lots had been made of the need for a strong atmosphere for the Blues’ visit. Every possible advantage needed to be executed, and nothing gives Newcastle and edge like its own supporters.

Before kick off, ‘Wor Flags’, the fan group responsible for wonderfully atmospheric and pertinent flag displays once again captured the mood and set the tone. “Get into them” was the blunt but effective message.

That is exactly what happened. Sandro Tonali scored after two minutes to give Newcastle the dream start it craved. When the ball hit the back of the net, the roar reflected the goal’s importance; it was louder, more tempestuous, designed to let Chelsea know what hit it.

Every tackle was greeted like a goal thereafter; Tyneside was the cauldron it needed to be. But the most defining factor of the victory was the way Eddie Howe and his team were so clearly ready for it. The team wasn’t overawed, nor overly emotional; there was an intelligence to its play, dropping deep to conserve energy, allowing Chelsea possession in unthreatening areas. This is a club that is now big game ready, proving in no uncertain terms how much it has developed over the past two years. When Bruno Guimaraes scored in injury time, the stadium collectively exhaled with joy.

Newcastle’s big game mentality

There were difficult moments, many of which actually came after a moment which appeared at first to cement Newcastle’s control. Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the first half for an elbow on defender Sven Botman, but the tactical shift which followed gave the away team a foothold in the match. Moises Caicedo, who had struggled at right-back early in the game, moved into a more comfortable midfield role and then Chelsea clicked.

Memories of a similar match against Liverpool last season, when Virgil van Dijk was sent off at 1-0 and Darwin Nunez scored twice late on to swing the game, threatened to haunt Newcastle. But therein lies the growth in mentality; there was no panic, no desperation for another goal leaving the defence exposed, just a strong rear-guard and a clear understanding of what was required. A big team winning a big match by any means necessary.

Howe said as much, crediting his players for holding their nerve and recognising how far they’ve come.

“It is so tight, it is a massive win,” he said after the game. ”Chelsea had nothing to lose in the second half, we had everything to lose. As much as we wanted to attack and control the game, we played quite safe. That led to losing control; despite that we still managed to defend well enough to keep Chelsea out.

“We’ve become used to the big games. I don’t think that was the case when we arrived; we slowly built our elite position. Two cup finals and the Champions League experience has definitely helped us. There is a much better reaction to the big occasions.”

Once again, it was the midfield which proved decisive. Injuries to Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock forced Howe into a formation change, potentially leading to Tonali and Guimaraes being outnumbered. But they thrived, and Tonali was given special praise by his coach.

“Sandro’s energy and legs have been an amazing part of our game,” Howe added. “He’s used them mainly for defensive work as he’s changed his position. But he’s still got this natural ability to follow the ball. It was a great moment for us.”

The Champions League beckons. If Newcastle can beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium next week, it will climb to second in the Premier League standings. Just one more win is likely all it needs from two gamrs, but there will be no fearing yet another huge encounter.

“We have to drive forward and make sure we are ready for Arsenal,” Howe said. “The players have been magnificent.”

Not so long ago, Newcastle was accused of wilting under the pressure of the biggest matches, but the win over Chelsea is just the latest example of how the team now thrives off them.