On Saturday evening, it was a quick return to action for Chelsea as they hosted Newcastle United on match day 30 of the Premier League season. 

Controversially, midweek opponents PSG had their Ligue 1 game against Nantes postponed so they could be fully fresh for the second leg next week, whilst Liam Rosenior's side play an intense game against a fellow Champions League side. 

Nevertheless, on we go. For the task at hand, the gaffer opted for an XI of: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho, Pedro. 

Just before the ten-minute mark, Chelsea had the first opening of the game, as Wesley Fofana headed a presentable Reece James cross just over the bar from a corner. A decent chance. 

After 19 minutes, Newcastle had the ball in the back of the net. A very nice through ball found Joe Willock in behind, and he squared to Anthony Gordon, who could not miss, and the visitors had a 1-0 lead.

Four minutes later, it could have been two. After Fofana was booked for bringing down Gordon, former Chelsea academy player Lewis Hall's free kick found defender Malick Thiaw inside the box, but fortunately, the ball was slightly above him, and he could not guide his effort on target. A let off. 

Shortly after, Moises Caicedo also found himself in the book, meaning he is now just one yellow card away from a two-game suspension. He must avoid a booking against Everton and Manchester City. If he does, the bookings are wiped, and he is good to go. 

For this game, Eddie Howe went with a very attacking side. He picked four attackers, and of the two midfielders, neither are particularly defensively minded. Therefore, Chelsea players were regularly getting the ball in central pockets, but failing to make it count. 

That would be that for the first half, and the Blues found themselves trailing 1-0 at the interval. At the break, Rosenior introduced Liam Delap for Malo Gusto in an attacking change. 

On the hour mark, Caicedo - on a yellow card - was replaced by Romeo Lavia, as the Belgian continues his return from all of the several injury setbacks he has suffered. 

With a quarter of an hour remaining, the ball sat nicely for Delap inside the box, but he spooned his effort well over the crossbar. A really poor and uncomposed strike. 

Minutes later, Chelsea had perhaps their best chance of the game. An inswinging cross from James found Trevoh Chalobah at the far post, but he could only steer his header wide of the post. 

There were eight minutes left on the clock when Jorrel Hato replaced Fofana, as the Blues desperately pushed to turn the game on its head. With around five minutes left, a lovely cross from Cole Palmer was flicked wide by Delap in a decent opportunity. 

Two minutes into stoppage time, James fired a powerful free kick from range, hitting the post and going out of play. Incredible swerve and dip on the strike, very unlucky not to score. 

That would be that. Newcastle defeated Chelsea 1-0. Another really poor result, and this season is in danger of becoming one to seriously forget - if it isn't already.

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