In a thrilling Premier League encounter at St James’ Park on December 20, 2025, Chelsea managed to salvage a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United, coming back from a two-goal deficit. While the late fightback secured a valuable point that kept the Blues in the top four, the match exposed significant vulnerabilities in Enzo Maresca’s side, particularly in the first half where several key players failed to deliver.
Chelsea’s struggles began early, with Newcastle racing to a 2-0 lead courtesy of Nick Woltemade’s quickfire double in the 4th and 20th minutes. The visitors looked disjointed and lacking urgency, registering zero shots on target in the opening 45 minutes—a damning statistic that highlighted a collective lethargy.
Goalkeeper **Robert Sánchez** had a mixed afternoon but contributed to the early chaos. His distribution was erratic at times, and while he made some crucial saves later, his role in the buildup to Newcastle’s dominance cannot be overlooked. The Spanish shot-stopper has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but lapses in concentration under pressure continue to undermine Chelsea’s defensive solidity.
In defense, **Malo Gusto** endured a torrid first half. Deployed at right-back, he was repeatedly exposed by Newcastle’s direct attacking play, struggling to contain Anthony Gordon and contributing to the space that allowed Woltemade to thrive. Gusto picked up an early yellow card, which seemed to affect his decision-making, leading to hesitant challenges and poor positioning.
**Marc Cucurella**, on the left flank, also fell short of his usual energetic standards. Often a reliable outlet going forward, Cucurella was quiet in possession and failed to provide the overlapping runs that typically stretch opponents. Defensively, he was caught out on several occasions, allowing Newcastle to exploit the channels effectively.
Midfield lacked control for large periods, with **Enzo Fernández** unusually subdued. The Argentine captain, known for his composure and vision, misplaced passes and failed to impose himself on the game, allowing Newcastle’s midfield to dictate the tempo. His influence waned as the first half progressed, and Chelsea sorely missed his usual dictating presence.
Up front, the attacking trio disappointed in the opening stages. **João Pedro**, who eventually grabbed the equalizer in the 66th minute, was largely anonymous before the break, failing to hold up the ball or link play effectively. His movement was predictable, and he struggled against Newcastle’s robust center-backs.
While substitutes injected life into Chelsea—Reece James scoring shortly after halftime and João Pedro redeeming himself—the reliance on bench impact underscored the starters’ shortcomings. Players like Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto, who came on later, provided the spark that was absent initially.
This draw extends Chelsea’s unbeaten run in the league but serves as a wake-up call. Against a Newcastle side that dominated the first half, too many Blues stars failed to rise to the occasion. Maresca will undoubtedly demand more consistency from his underperformers as the festive fixtures loom, with tougher tests ahead if Chelsea are to maintain their push for the title.
