Remember, remember the slump in November as Blues title charge halted

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Newcastle United stunned José Mourinho’s Chelsea with a thoroughly-deserving win at St. James’ Park.

A lethargic performance from the visitors – surprising considering the Blues boss rested nine of the starting eleven for Tuesday’s demolition of Arsenal – will cast doubt over the West London’s side title credentials, who have now failed to win in four of their five Premier League fixtures away from Stamford Bridge this season.

The result means Mourinho’s men have blown the chance to return to the summit of the Premier League – and they may be as far as five points off the pace should Arsenal triumph over Liverpool in the Saturday teatime kick-off.

Should Arsenal win that fixture against Brendan Rodgers’ side, the Blues will at least remain in second – should Stoke avoid defeat at home against high-flying Southampton, that is. With Tottenham away at Everton on Sunday, there is the potential for the Blues to get away with this result somewhat – but, should the worst-case scenario come true, Chelsea could fall as low as fifth ahead of a home game against West Bromwich Albion next weekend.

Mourinho must immediately turn his attentions back to European matters as his side tackle Schalke on Wednesday night, and wholesale changes can once again be expected following sub-par performances across the pitch.

After something of a purple patch, Eden Hazard was a subdued character, whilst the in-form Fernando Torres was offered nothing but scraps by a midfield three - consisting of Hazard, Oscar, and Juan Mata, the match-winner at the Emirates in midweek – totally devoid of invention and creativity.

However the greatest areas of concern lie with Chelsea’s experienced heads – whilst John Terry will feel himself unlucky to be on the losing side after a solid individual display, both Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard look totally out of their depth at present. David Luiz, meanwhile, only served to offer Mourinho another reason why he should be omitted from the starting eleven in favour of Gary Cahill.

The Blues were truly disappointing; their best opportunities in the first half coming from set-piece deliveries. First John Terry thundered a towering header against the crossbar, before a mêlée in the box resulted in Branislav Ivanovic’s deflected volley again hitting the woodwork.

Terry later had a header spectacularly cleared off the line by the impressive Mathieu Debuchy as the Blues failed to convert their territorial dominance in the opening exchanges into clear-cut chances.

Indeed, the only true chances of note came about late in the second half – Hazard wastefully shooting wide when well-placed, and substitute Samuel Eto’o having a shot closed down magnificently by the lunging Debuchy.

Newcastle, on the other hand, executed the tactics of Alan Pardew to perfection. Intent on sitting deep and soaking up Chelsea pressure, the home side became increasingly confident as the match progressed – and the visitors had no response to their slick, incisive passing, of which Yohan Cabaye was at the forefront of.

Emboldened by a strong performance towards the latter stages of the first half, the home side emerged after the interval with renewed vigour. Moussa Sissoko, the hero in this fixture last season, was the first to try his luck as the Toon committed to the attack, but he was thwarted expertly by Petr Cech.

Cech excelled moments later as he made a point-blank save to deny Loic Remy, but he was powerless to prevent Yoan Gouffran from heading the hosts into a lead their positive approach warranted, as the Frenchman dispatched a wonderful free-kick delivery beyond the helpless Czech goalkeeper.

If you would have expected that set-back to finally wake the Blues up, you were sadly made to be mistaken. A sense of lethargy seemed to be contagious amongst the side, and even the introductions of Willian and André Schurrle failed to add the dynamism the Blues seemed to be lacking up top.

The best that Mourinho’s side could conjure were a number of late half-chances: Hazard’s miscue was swiftly followed by Debuchy’s miraculous piece of defending to deny Eto’o a simple finish with Krul on the deck. Schurrle then misdirected a header at the far post as it became increasingly clear that the Blues were simply having one of those days.

With Chelsea overloading the midfield in an attempt to salvage a draw, it came as little surprise when Remy converted a second with consummate ease; smashing in Vurnon Anita’s cross after the diminutive Dutchman had effortlessly skipped past the hapless Luiz.

Chelsea were unable to even net a consolation as they slipped to their first loss since mid-September, and only their second in eight league games.

Whilst the result is, of course, a damaging result for Mourinho – who has now failed to win in four league visits to Tyneside – a run of winnable fixtures between now and mid-December should ensure the Blues arrest any fear of the annual November slump that has derailed many a Chelsea title challenge in the past.

But it is a matter of concern that, away from home, the Blues have managed a poultry five points from as many fixtures, netting a meagre four times in those fixtures – a statistic made to look all the worse when you consider three of those goals were netted at Carrow Road last month.

There is significant work for Mourinho to undertake – right now, it would appear as if the Portuguese is unaware of exactly what his best starting eleven is. Yet with the squad of Chelsea’s calibre at his disposal, slip-ups such as this must be eradicated should the West London outfit wish to be in title contention come May.

Alas, a somewhat predictable result here – but it is onwards and upwards for Mourinho and Chelsea!

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[The only place to be 11,313]

No mention of Pardew 'tactically raping' Mourinho? Not even an unsolicited over the clothes fondling?

If you select last season's team, you're going to get last season's performance.

[Shane 2,275]

No mention of Pardew 'tactically raping' Mourinho? Not even an unsolicited over the clothes fondling?

If you select last season's team, you're going to get last season's performance.

Really don't think Pardew tactically raped Mourinho, and thought it was crazy for the TC twitter to say he did aswell. The team clearly didn't perform as Jose set out.

Think we'll bounce back, great thing about our squad is that if the likes of Mata or Hazard or whoever don't perform, there really is someone who can come in and do it.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Really don't think Pardew tactically raped Mourinho, and thought it was crazy for the TC twitter to say he did aswell. The team clearly didn't perform as Jose set out.

Think we'll bounce back, great thing about our squad is that if the likes of Mata or Hazard or whoever don't perform, there really is someone who can come in and do it.

Pardew didn't "tactically rape" Mourinho as some people think. I think José's team selection wasn't the best, but it was good enough to win yesterday. Let down by individual performances. However our lethargy, coupled with some simple smash-and-grab tactics employed by Pardew, meant we played straight into Newcastle's hands. Really solid performance from them, can have no complaints. Onwards and upwards.