Premier League leaders Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the season as they were beaten by the Magpies in their 15th top-flight game of the campaign. Chelsea took on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday with the chance to enshrine their dominant start to the season in the club record books. Avoiding defeat meant Chelsea have begun the season with a record 15 league games unbeaten, as well as setting a new club mark for going 24 games in all competitions without a loss. Yet, manager José Mourinho insists he had no interest in amassing records, only silverware come the end of the season. The Magpies took the lead when Cisse slotted in after Gary Cahill missed Sammy Ameobi’s low cross. 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 Drogba pulling one back, held on for the win. Chelsea piled forward late on and striker Diego Costa had amshot 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. 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. 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’s 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. 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 whenhe nodded in a Fabregas free-kick. However, Newcastle stood firm as Mourinho was left still searching for his first league win at St James’ Park in five attempts as Chelsea manager. 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. Confidently Mourinho faced the media and said in his interview that losing does not matter as they are still leading in BPL and hence disappointing for the fans as Chelsea lost their first game this year against Newcastle as it was a 2-1 lose for the blues.
