Newcastle overcame their injury crisis to deservedly claim a 4-1 win against an ill-disciplined Chelsea side, who had Reece James sent off during a second-half collapse.
After taking four points from games against Tottenham and Manchester City before the international break, Chelsea should have been relishing the opportunity to take on a Newcastle side that was forced to name three goalkeepers and a host of U21s on the bench.
But, as they have so often done this season, the Blues followed up their positive results with a shocking performance at St James’ Park, going behind early thanks to Alexander Isak’s clinical finish.
Raheem Sterling levelled with a stunning free-kick but that was as good as it got for Chelsea, who produced a shambolic second-half display.
Jamaal Lascelles put Newcastle back in front after an hour before Joelinton added a third just a minute later thanks to Thiago Silva’s uncharacteristic error.
And things went from bad to worse for the visitors, with James dismissed after collecting two entirely avoidable bookings, before Anthony Gordon drilled in a fourth to move Newcastle to within three points of the top four.
