Chelsea’s bid to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League took a blow on Sunday as they fell 2-0 to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The defeat leaves Enzo Maresca’s side fifth in the Premier League table with 63 points, while Newcastle move up to third with 66 points.
Chelsea were forced to play the majority of the match with 10 men after Nicolas Jackson was sent off for violent conduct late in the first half.
The forward received a straight red card after elbowing Sven Botman, following a VAR review.
Newcastle took the lead just two minutes into the game through Sandro Tonali.
Anthony Gordon’s dangerous run into the box was initially halted by Moisés Caicedo, but Roméo Lavia hesitated on the ball, allowing Tonali to steal possession.
He quickly fed Bruno Guimarães, who spread play wide to Jacob Murphy. The winger delivered a low cross that Tonali finished at the far post.
Despite being down a man, Chelsea had moments of threat. Dan Burn headed just wide from a Tonali cross and later made a crucial block to deny Pedro Neto.
At the other end, Burn connected with a cross from Harvey Barnes late in the first half, but his header lacked power to trouble Robert Sánchez.
Nick Pope was rarely tested but stayed alert, saving a low effort from Cole Palmer early in the second half and later making a vital stop to deny Marc Cucurella. With 20 minutes remaining, Murphy chipped the ball into the path of Guimarães, whose shot drifted wide.
Chelsea came close to equalizing in the final minutes. Pope produced a brilliant save to keep out Enzo Fernández’s shot, and Reece James headed over from close range shortly after.
But Newcastle sealed the victory in the 90th minute when Guimarães cut inside from the left and curled a fine finish into the net, wrapping up a crucial win in their push for a top-four finish.