Chelsea's Unbeaten Run Breaks Down At St. James Park

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Not for the first time, Chelsea have been undone by a Cisse brace and not for the first time, Jose Mourinho has faced a very tough match at St. James, in fact, the Portuguese has never managed to get a league win there.

And that "tradition" was unfortunately to continue today in a frustrating roller-coaster of match from the blue perspective. A match that ended Chelsea's unbeaten run despite a late attempt at comeback and a Drogba consolation goal.

Chelsea started the match on top and played some brilliant football in the opening 30 minutes but poor finishing and bad decision making in the final third kept the scores level. Looking back, that was probably where the match was lost.

Newcastle came back strong in the last 15 minutes of the half and had their only dominant period of the match taking advantage of some lapses of concentration and defensive errors from our side. Though, they too failed to capitalize on their superiority and only managed to work Thibaut once.

But Jose's men came out strong and lively at the start of the second half. Hazard very much at the center of all the danger. But in very typical fashion, a minute after Mikel missed a great chance from a FK, Newcastle score in the 57th minute from a cross that Cahill tried to clear but missed. Almost needless to say that the Scorer was Cisse.

Jose directly brought on the subs that we were all calling for against Sunderland. Andre Schurrle first came on and made a really positive impact with his runs, then Droba and Luis after Newcastle parked a double-decker in front of their goal.

But once again, seconds after Eden had hit the post, Newcastle break and double their lead from an mistake in midfield. Again, Cisse the scorer and Sissoko with his customary assist against us.

Just as the point were looking all but lost, Ryan Taylor was sent off for a second yellow and Didier Drogba pulled one back for Chelsea with 7 minutes to go. Another Cesc assist, of course.

The Blues piled the pressure on the 10 Newcastle players inside the box, but debutant and Newcastle's third goal keeper, Jak Alnwik, kept making save after save. Finally, despite the six added minutes (which Newcastle wasted about 4 of taking a single goal kick), Chelsea ran out of time and a smiling Jose Mourinho left the stadium which has defied him once again.

Despite the result, boys mostly put on an excellent performance and fought very bravely to get back two goals down. But in the end things just didn't fall for us today which you often at tough away grounds like Newcastle's.

But hey, look on the bright side: at least now, all the bloody reporters will shut up about the unbeaten run!

Newcastle (4-3-3): Elliot (Alnwick 46'); Janmaat, Taylor (sent off), Colocini, Dummet; Tiote, Collback, Sissoko; Cabella (Cisse 53'), Ayoze, Ameobi(Williamson 83').

Chelsea (4-3-3): Courtois; Iva, Cahill, JT, Azpi (Luis 67'); Cesc, Mikel, Oscar (Schurrle 61'); Willian (Drogba 67'), Costa, Hazard.

Goals: Cisse (57' & 79'); Drogba (83').

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[bluephoenix 1,125]

nice article

It was only matter of time I felt. KTBFFH