Woltemade's Double Not Enough as Chelsea Claw Back Draw
Key Takeaways
- Newcastle United surrendered a two-goal lead in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
- Nick Woltemade's early brace had the Magpies cruising before halftime at St. James' Park.
- Reece James and João Pedro struck back to rescue a point for fourth-placed Chelsea.
- The referee brandished nine cards in a fiery encounter between the two sides.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND — Newcastle United squandered a commanding two-goal advantage as Chelsea staged a spirited comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw at St. James' Park, leaving the hosts rooted in 12th place on 22 points while the visitors clung to fourth with 28 points. In front of 52,226 roaring supporters, the Magpies looked destined for all three points after Nick Woltemade's sensational first-half double, only to watch their lead evaporate in a pulsating second period that showcased both teams' attacking prowess and defensive frailties.
The match exploded into life with breathtaking speed. Just four minutes had elapsed when Woltemade announced himself with clinical precision, rifling a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box into the bottom right corner to send St. James' Park into raptures. The German striker wasn't finished. In the 20th minute, he doubled his tally with another composed right-footed finish from the centre of the box, this time converting Anthony Gordon's whipped cross following a set piece situation. Newcastle appeared in complete control, their early dominance reflected in the scoreline as they headed toward the interval with a seemingly comfortable cushion.
But Chelsea, sitting fourth in the table, refused to surrender meekly. The visitors emerged from the dressing room with renewed purpose, and Reece James delivered the spark they desperately needed. Four minutes into the second half, the Chelsea captain stepped up to a free kick and curled a magnificent right-footed effort into the bottom left corner, giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance and halving the deficit. The momentum had shifted dramatically. The comeback was completed in the 66th minute when João Pedro pounced during a devastating fast break, receiving Robert Sánchez's long clearance before drilling a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner, stunning the home faithful into silence.
The teams shared possession almost equally throughout the contest, with Chelsea edging the battle at 53.2% to Newcastle's 46.8%. The Magpies actually registered more shots on target—five to Chelsea's four—from their 11 total attempts compared to the visitors' 13 efforts. The referee was busy, brandishing nine cards in a feisty affair that saw Chelsea collect six yellow cards to Newcastle's three, with Moisés Caicedo, Andrey Santos, and João Pedro all entering the book for the Blues. Ramsdale made three crucial saves for Newcastle, while Robert Sánchez was called upon twice at the other end.
The turning point arrived with James's free kick four minutes after the restart. That moment of individual brilliance shifted the psychological balance entirely, transforming Chelsea from a team chasing shadows into one scenting blood. Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali battled valiantly in midfield for Newcastle, while Fabian Schär's yellow card in the 61st minute epitomized the hosts' growing desperation as they struggled to contain Chelsea's attacking waves featuring Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and the lively Alejandro Garnacho.
Looking ahead, Newcastle United will host Manchester United on December 26, while Chelsea host West Ham United on January 11.