Issac Hayden’s 94th-minute header snatched a stunning 1-0 win over Chelsea, earning Newcastle their first Premier League victory of 2020.
Chelsea had 70 per cent of the possession and 19 shots but were kept at bay by a well-drilled Newcastle side, who completed the ultimate smash-and-grab with 30 seconds to play as Hayden glanced an Allan Saint-Maximin cross home to send St James’ Park into raptures.
But Newcastle’s sensational finish was in contrast to their start, when Jetro Willems was stretchered off inside 10 minutes to increase Steve Bruce’s injury problems. Reece James was also taken off injured for Chelsea, who will be lamenting their lack of finishing in a game they dominated.
Newcastle’s victory moves them up a place into 12th, while Chelsea remain in fourth with a five-point cushion over Manchester United, who travel to Liverpool on Renault Super Sunday.
Newcastle looked to be coming out of the woods with their lengthy injury list when the team news was announced, but they suffered a setback inside ten minutes when Willems had to be stretchered off. It looked like an innocuous knock of knees with Callum Hudson-Odoi, but soon became apparent that Willems had suffered a bad injury, immediately calling to be substituted. After a visit from the medics, he was carried off the field and replaced by the returning Matt Ritchie.
While Chelsea saw much of the ball, it was Newcastle who had the best first half chance. Federico Fernandez floated a lovely ball into the area and Joelinton rose up to hammer a header goalwards. However, with Kepa stretching, he could only send it onto the crossbar.
The visitors had their own effort come off the post in the 33rd minute as Tammy Abraham back heeled the ball onto the top corner. However, as Hudson-Odoi tried to convert the rebound, the offside flag was correctly raised against Abraham. Not long after, Martin Dubravka made two superb saves, firstly keeping N’Golo Kante out at the near post before an Abraham shot went straight at him from close range.
Chelsea had the best second half chances and Abraham will be kicking himself for not finding the net. In the 73rd minute, he was unable to keep a Jorginho pass under control, sending a shot into the side of the net after going out of play. Not long after, Cesar Azpilicueta headed a ball into his path and the striker tried to hook it home, but Dubravka’s touch took the string off the shot before Matt Ritchie hacked the ball away on the line
In between the two chances, Chelsea suffered their own injury blow when James was forced off. He initially collided with Ciaran Clark and hurt his shoulder, before going down on the touchline and clutching his ankle a few minutes later. Emerson was quickly prepared to replace him as the 20-year-old hobbled around the pitch and down the tunnel.
Frank Lampard’s side continued to push for the goal, but they were made to pay for their missed chances when Newcastle found the net with just seconds to play. They had fluffed an initial corner, but won another. Willian cleared the initial delivery from Ritchie, but it landed to Allan Saint-Maximin. He floated a cross into the area and Hayden popped up to glance the header home to seal a stunning Newcastle victory.
