NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Willian of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James’ Park on September 26, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Down 2-0, Chelsea comes back in final 15 minutes to draw Newcastle 2-2

Newcastle United and the Newcastle fans at St. James Park and all over the world thought they had this game won. They held tough and at times, Newcastle looked like the better team but they just couldn’t hold on to their 2-0 lead on defending Premier League champions Chelsea.

In a game in which, before the game, Newcastle would’ve been thrilled with a draw against Chelsea, it will feel like two points lost among players and fans of both teams. The only person who seemed thrilled about the 2-2 draw was Newcastle manager Steve McLaren.

Anyway, the first half was traded back and forth between both teams. At various points in the half, either team had control. Then in the 42nd minute, Ayoze Perez broke through to score this side volley to open the scoring and put the Newcastle fans into pandemonium.

Then to prove the first goal wasn’t a fluke, Georgina Wijnaldum got through the Chelsea defenders to have a clear shot at the goal on the corner to make it 2-0 and really get the fans on their feet, reminiscent to past years where Newcastle was a better team.

Just as when Newcastle was feeling comfortable on the 2-0 score, Chelsea clawed back. They got on the board with this perfect Ramires that even Tim Krul couldn’t keep out. That got things going and caused Ramires to have such an immediate impact just after getting subbed on.

And then the final goal of the day, the goal that sealed the draw for Chelsea. Willian sent the free kick into the box It appeared like Ramires got behind the Newcastle defenders to get a touch on it but Willian took credit and as of when the final whistle blew, the goal was credited to Willian. That made things level at 2-2 and the game ended by that score.

With the draw, Newcastle moved up to sole possession of 19th place and lead their Newcastle upon Tyne rivals Sunderland. Chelsea is even lower than they expected themselves to be after seven games. Chelsea is sitting in 15th place with just 8 points. The great thing for Chelsea is that the table is so tight that they’re only two points from 8th place but Chelsea has injuries and defensive issues that they need to take care of. As bad as Newcastle is, they took it to Chelsea and scored twice. Yeah, Jose Mourinho still hasn’t won a Premier League game at St. James Park but it’s still a cause to worry. They can’t keep leaking in goals and expect to challenge for the Premier League title. They’ll likely get a Champions League spot by default but a trophy is getting further and further beyond their grasp every week that goes by.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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