Chelsea player ratings vs Newcastle: Thiago Silva poor in sloppy defence with Raheem Sterling only positive
Calamitous Chelsea imploded away at threadbare Newcastle in a dismal 4-1 defeat at St James's Park.
Reece James was sent off for a second yellow card after a 90-second second-half spell, which saw the Blues concede twice and lose in the North East.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring but Raheem Sterling equalised through a stunning free-kick as Chelsea competed well for 60 minutes.
In the 60th minute, Chelsea switched off, allowing Jamal Lascelles to put Eddie Howe's injury-hit side ahead.
Joelinton sealed victory in the 61st minute after shocking defending from Thiago Silva, who became Chelsea's oldest-ever player on Saturday. Anthony Gordon put further gloss on the scoreline with a fourth.
Nizaar Kinsella was at St James's Park witnessing the action.
Robert Sanchez - 4
He fell over at a first-half corner, presenting an open goal to Joelinton, who somehow missed. Not particularly at fault for any of the goals but poor at coming for crosses all afternoon.
Reece James - 4
He was the best of the sloppy defence until his lax defending got him sent off for a professional foul on Gordon.
Benoit Badiashile - 4
He gave the ball away early on to put his side in danger and was arguably at fault for Lascelles' second goal.
Thiago Silva - 4
He looked every bit Chelsea's oldest-ever outfield player when he gave away the ball for Joelinton to seal the victory. It was a rare poor afternoon for the legendary defender.
Marc Cucurella - 4
He switched off when his backline tried to play an offside, keeping Isak on for his opening goal.
Enzo Fernandez - 5
He gave the ball away with his first pass but finally got a shot on target midway through the first half, forcing Nick Pope into a save.
Morning! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/FDXBnK6PGa
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 26, 2023
Lesley Ugochukwu - 5
Got very stuck in against a physical Newcastle side but didn't close down Gordon's cross well enough as he set up the Toon's second goal.
Conor Gallagher - 5
He curled the first shot of the game wide after a good run but fluffed a chance presented to him by Pope before half-time.
Cole Palmer - 5
He proved an important link player between midfield and attack but couldn't get on the ball as much as he would have liked.
Raheem Sterling - 8
Sterling scored a sensational free-kick to equalise, having won the shooting chance himself on the break.
Nicolas Jackson - 5
Worked hard but carried almost no goal threat. Looked angry when substituted.
Substitutes
Moises Caicedo - 5
Unable to impact the game at all as Chelsea imploded.
Mykhailo Mudryk - 6
The game was gone when he came on, but he produced some nice touches.
Armando Broja - 5
Nothing he could do to turn the game around once he came on.
Levi Colwill - 5
A thankless task coming on after James' red card, but unable to stop the goals from going in.
