TOON TORN UP Leaders pile on Geordie agony
AMANDA STAVELEY and her Saudi backers looked on in awe as the European champions and Premier League leaders strutted their stuff on the St James’ Park turf.
It’s a sight they hope becomes common at the stadium in years to come but on this sobering occasion the new regime could only dream as today’s Chelsea superstars proved far too strong for tomorrow’s Toon wannabes.
And at this rate, with Newcastle still in search of their first win this term, they could be welcoming far less illustrious visitors to Tyneside in the future, with relegation looking a real possibility.
Chelsea had to wait until the 65th minute to break Geordie resistance, with the outstanding Reece James smashing an unstoppable left-foot shot past Karl Darlow when Callum Hudson-odoi’s cross reached him beyond the far post.
And James doubled his and the Blues’ tally 12 minutes later with an equally ferocious drive after Hudson-odoi’s effort had been charged down.
If the opening hour had been a grim duel between
attack and defence, the closing stages betrayed the chasm between these sides.
And in the 81st minute, Jorginho coolly slotted home Chelsea’s third from the penalty spot after Darlow had tripped Kai Havertz.
With both Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points, the Blues are now three points clear at the top.
But Thomas Tuchel is not gloating. “There is never a moment we celebrate other results,” said the Chelsea boss.
“We keep our feet on the ground and focus on ourselves because you can lose any game in this league.”
Interim boss Graeme Jones admits Newcastle need a new manager to come sooner rather than later. “It probably needs a fresh face,” he said.
“We’re in a relegation battle, no question, and we need to face it like men.”