Long before the final whistle one thing was crystal clear; Newcastle’s players are prepared to jump through hoops of metaphorical fire for Eddie Howe. Despite being ravaged by a litany of injuries, Howe’s team summoned up frankly awe-inducing reserves of energy to ultimately steamroller a hitherto supposedly renascent Chelsea into submission.
Admittedly Reece James was sent off for collecting a second yellow card in the 73rd minute but by then Newcastle were so firmly in control that the recent talk of Mauricio Pochettino presiding over a serious challenge for Champions League qualification at Stamford Bridge seemed fanciful in the extreme.
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