Chelsea’s invincible run ends at St James’ park through Cisse’s brace
Cisse came off the bench to end Chelsea's unbeaten run in all competitions this season Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the...
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Cisse came off the bench to end Chelsea's unbeaten run in all competitions this season |
Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the
season as they were beaten at Newcastle through Cisse’s brace.
The Magpies took the
lead when Cisse slotted in after Gary Cahill missed Sammy Ameobi's low cross.
An Eden Hazard shot
hit a Newcastle upright before Moussa Sissoko set up Cisse for another tap-in.
The hosts had Steven
Taylor sent off but, despite Didier Drogba pulling one back, held on for the
win.
Chelsea piled forward
late on and striker Diego Costa had a shot tipped over by 21-year-old
goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, who was making his debut having come on as a half-time
substitute for the injured Rob Elliot.
Newcastle had beaten
the Blues in their last two league games at St James' Park but a repeat
appeared unlikely considering the marauding form of their visitors.
However, a heroic
defensive performance, marshalled by centre-back Fabricio Coloccini, was the
foundation of a victory which ended Chelsea's hopes of setting a new club
record of 24 matches unbeaten in all competitions.
The defeat will also
end talk of the Stamford Bridge side repeating Arsenal's 'Invincibles' by going
the whole league season without losing, and gives the London side's title
rivals the chance to make up ground.
Alan Pardew puts on a cheeky smile as he shakes Mourinho's hand after handing him his first defeat of the season |
Mourinho had insisted
that it was "impossible" to remain unbeaten all season and he was
proven right as his side were frustrated by a disciplined and organised
Newcastle side, much in the way they were in a goalless draw at Sunderland last
weekend.
Before the break,
Chelsea were limited to a couple of Willian strikes wide, a Cahill header over
and a well-struck Oscar overhead kick past the frame of the goal.
The hosts gradually
grew in confidence as they quelled the Blues' threat and might have taken a
surprise lead.
Ameobi found Ayoze
Perez and his sliding pass released Colback, but the midfielder was thwarted
when Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois saved his close range shot with a foot.
It was easy to see how
Newcastle had lost just once in nine games but they suffered a setback when
goalkeeper Elliot failed to emerge for the second half, having injured himself
taking a goal-kick.
That meant a debut for
Alnwick, whose first piece of action was to punch away a Cesc Fabregas
free-kick assuredly.
Alnwick should have
been tested again when another Fabregas free-kick found John Mikel Obi in space
at the near post only for the midfielder to head wide.
The miss was
immediately punished when, at the other end, Cahill missed a low Ameobi cross
and Cisse slotted in gleefully.
Chelsea exerted more
pressure but, 38 seconds after a Hazard shot came back off a post, Newcastle
extended their lead when Cisse scored after a swift counter-attack.
A Taylor foul on Andre
Schurrle earned the defender his second yellow card left the Magpies a man
down.
And, in a dramatic
finale, Drogba gave Chelsea hope when he nodded in a Fabregas free-kick.
However, Newcastle
stood firm as Mourinho was left still searching for his first win at St James'
Park in five attempts as Chelsea manager.