'Struggled in the midfield again' – Newcastle United player ratings as winless start to Premier League campaign continues against Chelsea
Ten games. No wins. Newcastle United’s winless start to the Premier League continued against Chelsea.
For 65 minutes, the Magpies held out against the league leaders but fell apart when Reece James opened the scoring.
Indeed, James scored a brace as a penalty from Jorginho inflicted further relegation fears on Tyneside.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at St James’s Park – and here’s how he rated each Newcastle player:
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1. Karl Darlow - 4
Endured a nightmare couple of minutes. Was already on the floor when James fired his second before bringing down Havertz for the penalty, scored by Jorginho.
Photo: Naomi Baker
2. Javier Manquillo - 6
Manquillo dealt with a lot of attacks down his side in the first-half. After the break, Chelsea played through the middle.
Photo: Laurence Griffiths
3. Emil Krafth - 5
Handed his second successive start. Provides pace on the right side of the back three but had no positional awarness.
Photo: Justin Setterfield
4. Jamaal Lascelles - 6
United’s captain, the leader in the backline, watched his side collapse in the remaining quarter-hour or so.
Photo: Ian MacNicol