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5 Things Learned: Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle United | Premier League

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(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea and Newcastle shared the points in an end of season stalemate at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Anthony Gordon’s first half strike was cancelled out by a Kieran Trippier own goal, in Frank Lampard’s last game in charge of Chelsea, in Sunday afternoon’s final day clash in the Premier League.

Newcastle started brightly and tested Kepa Arrizabalaga through an early Alexander Isak shot.

Newcastle continued to dominate the early proceedings and took a deserved lead through Anthony Gordon in the ninth minute. The visitors sliced through Chelsea with ease, allowing Allan Saint-Maximin to feed Elliot Anderson down the left, whose low cross was met by Gordon, poking past Kepa from close range.

The Blues pushed back in search of an equaliser and nearly found one immediately, only for Thiago Silva’s headed effort to be well blocked by Kieran Trippier.

Tripper was not so lucky in the 27th minute, when he put the ball through his own net to equalise for Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez worked a free kick to Raheem Sterling in the Newcastle box, who cut inside and shot across Martin Dubravka only for Trippier to bundle the ball into his own goal as he attempted to clear.

Both sides had chances to take the lead late in the first half, but were thwarted by some good goalkeeping. First, Kepa did well to stay sharp and deny Miguel Almiron, before Dubravka clawed out Sterling’s goal bound effort to ensure the scores were level at the break.

Chelsea searched for a winner in the second half, with Noni Madueke, Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, Joao Felix and Lewis Hall all threatening the Newcastle goal.

The Blues will feel aggrieved they were denied a penalty after Sterling’s effort deflected off the arm of Dan Burn, with Newcastle nearly taking the lead moments later, after debutant Lewis Miley skimmed the bar with his effort.

Chelsea pushed hard for a late winner, with Joao Felix heading narrowly over the bar in the last minute of play to confirm the points were shared at Stamford Bridge.

Here are five things Absolute Chelsea learned from Sunday’s draw in the capital. 


1) Dismal season finally over

After two trophies and four finals last season, it was always possible Chelsea would fail to achieve the heights of the 2021/22 campaign. However, I don’t think many would have predicted things to go quite so badly for the Blues.

Chelsea worked their way through millions of pounds, mountains of injuries and 4 managers en route to their first bottom half league finish of the century. There have been some positive moments, such as the deadline day signing of Enzo Fernandez and the late emergence of Lewis Hall, however the bad has certainly outweighed the good from this campaign.

The season is now finally over for Chelsea, who will want to put the nightmares of 2022/23 swiftly behind them, if they want to achieve any success next season.

2) Farewell Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has never been given a proper opportunity to say goodbye to the Chelsea fans. As a player, he was informed of his departure after the final home game of the season, whilst he was sacked abruptly mid-season during his last stint as Chelsea boss.

This time Lampard was able to receive the send off he deserves, with blues fans paying tribute to their all time leading scorer.

Lampard’s stint as caretaker boss did not go quite as planned, with only one win on his record, however many Chelsea supporters will have enjoyed having the club legend at the helm again, as he attempted to steer the teams abysmal season to a close.

3) Farewell players

Frank Lampard and his staff weren’t the only group saying goodbye to the Chelsea fans on Sunday afternoon, with many players potentially playing their last match at Stamford Bridge as well.

Club legend Cesar Azpilicueta has likely made his last appearance in blue, and was given a well deserved send off by the fans accompanied with a pre-match mural in his honour at Stamford Bridge, as he captained the side one last time. The other likely high profile departure, Mason Mount, was unable to feature due to injury, however still received a warm reception from supporters who will remain hopeful he signs a new deal amid links to Manchester United.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek received a standing ovation upon his departure, whilst Conor Gallagher Mateo Kovacic and Trevoh Chalobah also potentially played for the last time, in what was a nostalgia filled day for many.

4) Lewis Hall continues to impress

One of the bright sparks of Chelsea’s season has been the late emergence of academy graduate Lewis Hall. Hall was presented as the Blue’s academy player of the year before kick off, and the Cobham graduate showed why with another solid outing at Stamford Bridge. Hall’s stand out moment came when he sent in a customary dangerous cross to Sterling before the break who was denied by an outstanding Dubravka stop.

Hall generally acquitted himself well throughout, showing once again that he is more than capable at Premier League level. With plenty of competition at both left back and central midfield, it will be interesting to see how Chelsea handle their young starlet over the summer, but he will have done himself no harm with his recent performances.

5) Chelsea struggle in front of goal

If there has been one issue that has plagued Chelsea more than most this season, it would certainly be their profligacy in front of goal. The last match of the season against Newcastle was no different, with the Blues squandering a plethora of openings throughout proceedings. Chelsea lacked a clinical edge in the box, best highlighted by their only goal coming via Newcastle skipper Kieran Trippier.

Despite links to many strikers likely to follow in the coming months, Chelsea will have to hope many of their existing players will become much more efficient in front of goal next season if they hope to climb the table.

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