Newcastle United 2-0 Chelsea (Carabao Cup)
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United (Premier League)
Honours were shared in the league and cup double-header against Newcastle as the Blues defeated the Magpies at the Bridge, then lost in midweek to end their Carabao Cup adventure.
Chelsea continue to run two parallel teams. Manager Enzo Maresca changed every single player on Wednesday night at St James' Park from the side that won 2-1 on Sunday lunchtime. His oppo, Eddie Howe, made five switches.
It resulted in a 2-0 victory to the Magpies, despite the Blues having the lion's share of possession. Two first-half goals for the home side were enough to give Newcastle home advantage in the quarter-final against Brentford in December.
So Chelsea can focus on Europe, the FA Cup and the Premier League, starting this weekend with the little matter of Old Trafford to face a Man United side who waltzed to League Cup victory against Leicester under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Blues will want to build on a victory against Newcastle which left fans' nerves shredded at the end as their team clung on. Relief was the overriding emotion at the final whistle, following a simply glorious spectacle.
Ref Simon Hooper's decision-making came in for stick from both ends of Stamford Bridge, and seven yellows were shown (one to the excitable Maresca), but that all merely added to the entertainment.
Busy VAR
The busiest folk on the day were 14 miles away, up the M4; Messrs Jarred Gillett and Ian Hussin, the VAR overlords in their Stockley Park bunker. They ruled out Cole Palmer's fourth-minute 'opener' because his kneecap was offside, then overturned a soft stoppage-time Chelsea penalty at the death, despite Palmer having the ball on the spot and being poised to shoot.
In between, Nico Jackson scored and Alex Isak levelled in the first half before Palmer did finally supply a goal that stood – and which proved the winner – shortly after the interval.
If there's a more watchable, in-form Premier League player around than Palmer, I'll eat my notebook. He's like an animated anglepoise lamp, scissoring around the midfield and bamboozling opponents.
Maresca is currently keeping him out of Chelsea's European squad, for fear of injury. But Blues fans yearn to see him on the continental stage too, and with the visit next week of the Armenian team FC Noah (whose players presumably come out two-by-two) they may yet get their wish.
The manager could have brought Palmer off the bench at St James' Park to try to make a difference in the second half in midweek, but chose not to. However, Palmer will start against United on Sunday, along with most of the preferred 'league' players. As long as running two separate teams keeps Chelsea in touch with the sides at the top of the table, why not?
Women back in action
Chelsea Women are back in action after the international break, travelling to play Everton on Sunday evening, with Sonia Bompastor looking to continue her remarkable unbeaten start to the season.
The Blues are firm favourites to take all three points, with Hannah Hampton set to make her 100th WSL appearance in goal.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
