A second special licence granted on Saturday allowed the Blues to spend up to £900,000 on home games in order to get games on at Stamford Bridge but are still not allowed to sell tickets, meaning the 40,000 mark may not be broken again for some time in west London.
The fans in attendance were defiant and loud but their team were far from fluent, taking nearly 80 minutes to produce their first shot on target, a Havertz header that would have gone in had it gone anywhere except straight at the goalkeeper, and were barely deserving of the three points the German’s next shot on target earned them.
Miguel Almiron had come closest to scoring in the first half, forcing a strong two-handed save from Edouard Mendy with a fine long-range volley, before Dan Burn’s header flashed across the face of goal.
Chelsea might have gone down to 10 before the break too when Havertz’s elbow connected with Burn’s face, but a yellow card was all that was required according to referee David Coote.
After the break though, there was deemed to be no need for VAR at all when Nathaniel Chalobah appeared to bring down Jacob Murphy as Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel clashed on the touchline.
The Blues would surely have had a penalty on the hour mark had VAR not intervened, Timo Werner brought down when clean through, but the offside flag, confirmed on review, ended the German striker’s day as he was replaced seconds later.
The anti-climax rather summed up Chelsea’s day – until Havertz brought down Jorginho’s perfectly measured pass and triggered pandemonium.
Should Havertz still have been on the pitch?
Burn had not even finished being treated for a head injury when he accused Havertz of wrong-doing, lying on his back and point his finger at the German forward.
Havertz had jumped to challenge the 6ft 6in defender but his left elbow had collided with Burn’s face. The referee immediately issued a yellow card, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) took a minute to investigate the incident while Burn was down.
However, i understands the VAR felt the incident was a reckless one rather than serious foul play and that Havertz was using his arm for leverage, rather than as a weapon. Coote’s award of a yellow card was not seen as a “clear”.
Havertz was deemed ‘reckless’ by VAR but not guilty of serious foul play (Photo: Reuters)
Chelsea player ratings
Edouard Mendy – 7
Dealt well with an awkward early back-pass from Ziyech but a poor pass to Kante gave away free-kick in a dangerous area. However, made the best save of the first half when getting two strong hands to Almiron’s right-footed volley.
Malang Sarr – 6.5
A notably more defensive performance than the other flank but kept things quiet for most of the game.
Antonio Rudiger – 7.5
Marauding runs into midfield and even overlapping to the byline were a sign of his efforts to gee up a flat Chelsea side, admirable given his own future is the most uncertain. Even technical advisor Petr Cech said before kick-off that he did not know how Chelsea could re-sign players with expiring contracts this summer.
Andreas Christensen – 6.5
Not tested much by Chris Wood, to whom the quality of service left much to be desired.
Nathaniel Chalobah – 6
Subjected to an aerial offensive that anyone facing the likes of Wood should expect, the New Zealander seeking him out at dead-ball situations in an effort to isolate him, but stood up well to the challenge. Was lucky though not to have a penalty given against him when Jacob Murphy wriggled past him just before the hour mark.
Mason Mount – 6.5
Surging early run but with no end product which rather summed up Chelsea’s day. Set-piece delivery left much to be desired too. Hooked for Mateo Kovacic after an hour.
Jorginho – 7
Harsh to blame him entirely for Chelsea’s lack of creativity but did not offer many ideas of how to unlock Newcastle’s defence up until teh pass that won the game, perfectly chipped over the back line.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Did a good job of stifling Newcastle’s ground attack, limited as it was, and showed some initiative with the ball at his feet. Probably Chelsea’s best midfielder.
Timo Werner – 4.5
Incurred the wrath of Tuchel on more than one occasion with a series of miscontrolled passes. Worst of all came after 55 minutes, when he failed to bring down a ball over the top that, had he brought it in at all, would have created the best chance of the match. Even when he appeared to win a penalty, brought down by Martin Dubravka, he was offside. Substituted immediately afterwards.
Kai Havertz – 7
Was a little lucky not to face more punishment than a yellow card for the connection his elbow made with Dan Burn’s face. Tried to run off when Romelu Lukaku came on but was made to endure by Tuchel, which proved serendipitous. Did produced Chelsea’s first shot on target in the 77th minute but should have done better with close-range header. Moment of magic at the end though was one of real quality, the first touch in particular.
Substitutes
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5
Romelu Lukaku – 6.5
Christian Pulisic – 6.5
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