Ayoze Perez capitalised on some shambolic Chelsea defending to give Newcastle United an improbable half-time lead against the Premier League champions at St James’ Park.
Kurt Zouma and Branislav Ivanovic just stood and watched as the Spaniard skilfully controlled a Daryl Janmaat cross, and squeezed a volley home via the post three minutes before the break.
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The goal was Perez’s first of the season and only the fourth that Newcastle, who were second from bottom of the table prior to kickoff, have managed in seven league games this season.
The 22-year-old managed seven in the 2014-15 campaign after his arrival from Tenerife, and yet had not been a regular starter in Steve McClaren’s struggling Magpies team at the start of this term.
Newcastle are still looking for their first top-flight win under the former England boss, but will be encouraged by this evening’s first-half performance, and their home record against Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho’s men have lost on their last two visits to Tyneside, and St James’ Park is the only Premier League ground other than the Emirates Stadium where the Special One is yet to win.
Mourinho will again be concerned with the manner of the goal which his side conceded, which is in accordance with a defence which has gone from the tightest in the division to one of the leakiest.
The Blues have now let in 13 goals in six-and-a-half league games this season – fewer only than Leicester City and Sunderland – and iconic captain John Terry has found himself dropped to the bench.
But surely Terry would not have allowed Perez to bring that ball down unchallenged as Zouma did?
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