Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle: What Were The Main Talking Points As Eddie Howe’s Side Sign Off Their Premier League Romp With A Stalemate At Stamford Bridge?

Two sides who find the moods in their respective camps at a polar opposite, Chelsea and Newcastle ended the 2022/24 campaign as they played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Watch Eddie Howe’s high-flying squad open the scoring after just nine minutes as Anthony Gordon tapped home his first Newcastle goal, the Magpies were certainly smelling the chance to make another Premier League statement in west London.

However, while England international Kieran Trippier might have unfortunately turned into his own net midway through the first-half, Sunday’s guests have only continued on a history-making flurry this season.

Despite mustering just a single win from their final five Premier League appearances, Howe’s men skyrocketed themselves to a famous Champions League ticket and they have enjoyed their brightest top-flight adventure in over two decades.

Although Chelsea might have done an admirable job against a Newcastle squad who have only continued on a record-breaking flurry this season, the Blues are simply glad to see the back of their nightmare Premier League campaign.

Having to settle for an infamous 12th place finish, Frank Lampard’s side also ended the 2022/23 campaign with just a single win from any of their final 14 appearances across all completions.

In a season finale between two English giants who have endured completely opposite success this year, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s showdown in SW6.

A season for the history book at St. James’ Park

Although Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge might mean that Newcastle only recorded a single win from their final five Premier League appearances, Howe’s high-flying squad will not care one bit.

Punching what was a famous Champions League return earlier in the month as they claimed a stellar 4-1 romp at home against fellow European qualifiers Brighton, the Magpies have only continued to gain a string of plaudits this season.

Despite showing some brief signs of a struggle when they returned from the World Cup’s winter break, Newcastle have rode a remarkable wave of momentum in 2023.

Securing a first top-four finish in two decades and with the mood around St. James’ Park at the highest it has been in recent memory, the former Bournemouth boss will now be desperate to prove that their top-flight romp was not just a one off.

Expected to break the bank this summer as they prepare for a famous Champions League adventure next season, Sunday’s guests have quickly become a real fan favourite with fans from up and down the country.

Although Newcastle’s controversial Saudi-backed takeover might have seen them come under plenty of scrutiny, Howe’s side deserves to steal all of the headlines for their efforts on the pitch.

Chelsea’s nightmare Premier League rut comes to an end

While Chelsea might have managed to sign off their Premier League nightmare with a rugged stalemate against the top-four returners here, that result will not cover what has been an infamous campaign in west London.

Despite spending over £600million during the past two transfer windows, the former European champions have failed to find any kind of stability since Todd Bohley’s takeover was confirmed last year.

Long since accepting that they will have to settle for a remarkable bottom-half finish this season, Chelsea will also have a season without any kind of European adventure on their schedule.

Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny under both Lampard and Graham Potter, it is no secret that the Blues are in desperate need of a major overhaul behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge.

While it might appear that Mauricio Pochettino is inching towards a Premier League return ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, the ex-Tottenham boss will know that he has a heavyweight challenge on his hands over the summer.

Only claiming a single victory since they shockingly welcomed Lampard back to west London last month, Chelsea are simply glad to see the back of what has been their worst Premier League campaign in recent times.

Is Howe the Premier League’s Manager of the Season?

Although Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola might have guided the English giants to a fifth domestic crown from just the past six seasons this year, many feel that it is Howe who should be crowned as the Premier League’s Manager of the Season in 2023.

While the likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Unai Emery have continued to impress during their respective campaigns at Brighton and Aston Villa, Howe has certainly been the architect behind Newcastle’s famous top-four finish.

Although the Magpies might have simply been in a battle to maintain the Premier League status last season, the ex-Bournemouth boss has transformed Sunday’s guests into one of England’s most feared opponents.

Although the likes of Alexander Isak and Sven Botman might have continued to impress since arriving at St. James’ Park last summer, Howe has done a remarkable job with some of the original crop that was already in the north east when he arrived.

Along with attacking talisman Callum Wilson notching 18 Premier League strikes this season, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton have suddenly transformed into two of the key stars in Howe’s squad.

With the Newcastle boss bringing a new lease of life back to St. James’, Howe rightfully deserves all of the plaudits he will receive.

Match Report

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Hall, Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling, Havertz

Subs: Felix, Kovacic, Pulisic, Chukwuemeka, Fofana

Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Anderson, Guimaraes, Gordon, Saint-Maximin, Isak, Almiron

Subs: Miley, Burn, Murphy, Lewis, Wilson

Goals: Chelsea: Trippier (27′ OG) – Newcastle: Gordon (9′)

Yellow Cards: N/A

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Jarred Gillett