Newcastle United mustered a 2-2 draw with reigning champions Chelsea on Saturday.
The Magpies remain winless this season but produced a much-improved showing to go two goals ahead at St James' Park before succumbing to Jose Mourinho's men.
Ayoze Perez, with his first goal of the season, opened the scoring late in the first half when superbly controlling a long cross from Vurnon Anita before hammering home past Asmir Begovic off the upright before Georginio Wijnaldum added a second on the hour-mark when he met Perez's corner with a well-placed header.
However, Steve McClaren's side were unable to hold onto their lead and conceded with just over 10 minutes remaining when Ramires produced a thunderous effort from 25 yards into Tim Krul's top right corner before Willian's free-kick somehow evaded the Dutch keeper and found its way into the back of the net to force the draw.
The point has Newcastle sitting second bottom on the table with just three draws from seven matches while defending title winners Chelsea are 14th having won only twice thus far.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Newcastle United: 2 (Ayoze Perez 42', Georginio Wijnaldum 60')
Chelsea: 2 (Ramires 79', Willian 86')
Stamford Bridge, London - 48,682
TALKING POINTS
- Will this improved performance be the motivation Newcastle needs to climb out of the relegation zone?
- Are Chelsea's title hopes already dashed? Or are they good enough to bridge the 8-point gap with top spot?
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Magpies next take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium as the Blues get set for a Champions League clash with FC Porto on Tuesday prior to the visit of Southampton on the weekend.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great team effort! We deserved more than a point! Thanks to all the fans, your support was amazing! #ToonArmypic.twitter.com/ikuyto8m5p
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) September 26, 2015Great team effort today we deserved more than a point but i'm happy with my goal and proud off the team ! #NUFCpic.twitter.com/oA2KWEbWdT
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) September 26, 2015That goal was for you, my boy!!! O gol foi pra você meu filho!! Let's keep on fighting until the end! #Bruno#CFCpic.twitter.com/jZWbIfVzqd
— Ramires (@Rami7oficial) September 26, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Newcastle's McClaren on the improvement from his side:
"Yes, it was a good display, but that's the benchmark now, that's the standard."
Chelseaboss Mourinho on his side's display, particularly the first half:
“I put it down to awful individual performances. When you have so many bad individual performances, it's impossible for a team to be a team."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
1 - Chelsea came from 2+ goals behind to salvage a point for the first time in a PL game since 26th Dec 2007 (4-4 v Aston Villa). Rescued.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 26, 20150 - J.Mourinho has never won a PL game at St James' Park (D2 L3) – the only other PL stadium he's not won at is the Emirates (D3). Previous.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 26, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
NEWCASTLE
Goals - Georginio Wijnaldum 2
Assists - Four players on 1
Clean sheets - Tim Krul 1
Yellow cards - Jack Colback 4
Red cards - Daryl Janmaat, Aleksandar Mitrovic 1
CHELSEA
Goals - Ten players on 1
Assists - Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez 2
Clean sheets - Asmir Begovic 1
Yellow cards - Branislav Ivanovic 3
Red cards - Thibaut Courtois, John Terry 1
