Newcastle vs Chelsea Player Ratings: James and Pedro Strikes Earned a Hard-Fought Draw at St. James' Park

What a turn around fans got to witness at St. James' Park. Chelsea made a thumping comeback in the second half after going down 2-0 before the halftime whistle. This Premier League fixture was a classic game of two halves, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The home side, Newcastle United, came all guns blazing as they completely overwhelmed the visitors.

It was Nick Woltemade who lit the fuse. He bagged two goals in the opening twenty minutes, looking absolutely unstoppable. The Magpies were flying, and it seemed like a long afternoon was in store for Chelsea. But football is a funny old game, isn't it?

After the break, a completely different Chelsea team emerged. They showed incredible fight, a spirit we haven't always seen from them. A moment of individual brilliance from Reece James from a free-kick sparked the comeback, before João Pedro found the all-important equalizer. The match became a frantic, end-to-end affair that could have gone either way. Ultimately, a draw felt like a fair, if breathless, result. Here are Sportsdunia's Newcastle vs Chelsea Player Ratings.

Reece James & Joao Pedro's Goals in a Clutch Situation Earned Them 7.5+ Ratings in Chelsea Player Ratings

Check out the Chelsea player ratings for Newcastle vs Chelsea fixture.

Goalkeeper

Robert Sánchez - 6.0: A difficult start for the keeper, conceding twice early on. To be fair, he had little chance with either of Nick Woltemade's clinical finishes. He did make three saves, including a crucial one inside the box. His distribution was a major concern though, losing possession 24 times and completing just 38% of his passes. The early yellow card didn't help his composure either.

Defenders

Marc Cucurella - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, performance. After the chaotic opening, he settled down and looked solid. He won four of his five duels and made a couple of important tackles. Didn't offer much going forward, but he did his defensive duties diligently in the second half. A decent outing all things considered.

Trevoh Chalobah - 6.0: He looked all at sea during Newcastle's initial onslaught. However, what stood out to us was how he grew into the game. He ended up with eight ball recoveries and three interceptions, showing improved awareness. His passing was tidy, but that shaky start brings his rating down.

Malo Gusto - 5.5: A really tough day at the office for the right-back. He was targeted by Newcastle's attackers and struggled to cope. He committed two fouls and picked up a deserved yellow card for his troubles. It was no surprise to see him substituted early in the second half. He just couldn't get a foothold in the game.

Wesley Fofana - 6.0: He had a torrid time against Nick Woltemade, losing four of his five aerial duels. While his passing was incredibly accurate at 95%, his primary job is to defend. From our perspective, he looked physically second-best in key moments. He'll be disappointed with how easily the forwards got past him.

Midfielders

Pedro Neto - 7.0: He was one of the few Chelsea players who looked up for the fight from the first whistle. His energy was infectious, and he constantly tried to make things happen, creating two chances. He was unlucky not to score, forcing a good save. A very positive and lively performance.

Cole Palmer - 6.5: A quiet game by his high standards. He was involved in some nice passages of play but lacked his usual incisive final ball. He did create one chance but also missed a decent opportunity early on. You just expect a little more magic from him in these tight games.

Reece James - 8.0: A true captain's performance. When his team was down and out, he single-handedly dragged them back into the contest with a sensational free-kick goal. He was a leader all over the pitch, making key tackles and driving his team forward. A commanding display.

Moisés Caicedo - 7.5: This is the player Chelsea paid big money for. He was an absolute machine in the midfield, a wrecking ball breaking up play. He made eight ball recoveries, four interceptions, and won nine of his thirteen duels. He was instrumental in shifting the momentum of the match. A top-class defensive midfield display.

Alejandro Garnacho - 7.0: Frustrating but always a threat. He was a livewire, taking five shots, though only one was on target. His direct running caused constant problems for the Newcastle United defence. If his end product was better, he'd be an elite player. Still, his fearless approach was vital to the comeback.

Forwards

João Pedro - 8.0: Showed great composure to score the crucial equalizer that completed the comeback. He was a physical presence up front, winning an impressive five aerial duels and linking play intelligently. He created two chances for his teammates as well. A fantastic all-around striker's performance.

Substitutes

Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernández came on in the second half but had limited time to make a decisive impact on the game, though they helped maintain Chelsea's control.

Manager

E. Maresca - 7.0: His team's start was abysmal, and he takes some responsibility for that. However, whatever he said at halftime worked wonders. He deserves immense credit for masterminding the second-half turnaround and for his team's incredible show of character. He turned a potential disaster into a valuable point.

Nick Woltemade with 8.5+ Ratings Thanks to His Brace Against the Blues in Newcastle Player Ratings

Check out the Newcastle player ratings for the Newcastle vs Chelsea fixture.

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale - 6.5: He couldn't have done anything about the pinpoint free-kick from Reece James. He made two important saves, one of which was a brilliant stop to deny Pedro Neto. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss. A solid enough performance but he was left exposed by his defence.

Defenders

Lewis Hall - 7.0: A really impressive and disciplined display against his parent club. He was immense defensively, winning a remarkable eight of his nine duels and making four interceptions. He completely shut down his side of the pitch. The late yellow card was the only small blemish on an otherwise excellent performance.

Fabian Schär - 6.5: An all-action, chaotic performance from the centre-back. He made four clearances and blocked three shots, throwing his body on the line. He was also a threat in the opposition box, forcing a good save. However, he was rash at times, committing fouls and earning a yellow card.

Malick Thiaw - 6.5: A solid and reliable showing at the back. He won both of his tackles and made three important clearances. He looked composed for most of the match but, like the rest of the defence, struggled to contain Chelsea's fluid attack in the second half.

Lewis Miley - 6.5: A performance of real maturity from the youngster. He read the game incredibly well, making four interceptions and eight ball recoveries. He was a calming presence in a frantic game but he will be kicking himself for missing a big chance from a corner. A valuable learning experience.

Midfielders

Sandro Tonali - 6.5: He was everywhere in the first half, full of energy and purpose. His influence faded dramatically after the break as Chelsea's midfield took control. He recovered the ball nine times but also lost it an astonishing 19 times. A game that perfectly summed up Newcastle's performance.

Bruno Guimarães - 7.0: The captain battled hard in the middle of the park. He kept possession well with 91% pass accuracy and tried to drive his team on. He won his duels and made his tackles, but even he couldn't stem the blue tide in the second half. Led by example with his effort.

Jacob Ramsey - 6.0: A very quiet and industrious game. He put in a shift defensively, making eight ball recoveries. Going forward, however, he offered very little. He was neat and tidy but failed to provide any real spark or creativity when his team needed it.

Forwards

Anthony Gordon - 8.0: Absolutely electric in the first half. He was unplayable, providing a perfect assist for the second goal and creating another huge chance. He was a constant thorn in Chelsea's side with his pace and trickery. His influence waned before his substitution, but his damage was already done.

Jacob Murphy - 7.5: A real creative hub for the Magpies. He created an incredible three big chances and was a menace with his crossing, even if only 38% found their man. His decision-making was sometimes questionable, but his ability to create danger was undeniable. A very lively performance.

Nick Woltemade - 8.5: The Man of the Match, without a doubt. His two goals in the first 20 minutes were taken with the instinct of a natural goalscorer. His movement and finishing were top-drawer. He could have even had a hat-trick. Although his impact lessened later on, his early goals almost won the game for his team. The highest-rated player on the pitch.

Substitutes

Harvey Barnes, Yoane Wissa, and Anthony Elanga were introduced in the final 20 minutes to try and find a winner. They brought fresh energy but didn't have enough time or clear-cut chances to change the outcome of the match.

Manager

E. Howe - 6.5: His game plan was executed to perfection for the first 30 minutes, with his team looking unstoppable. However, he seemed to have no answer when Chelsea came roaring back in the second half. His team lost all control of the game, and he'll be disappointed to let a two-goal lead slip at home.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match Goes to Nick Woltemade