Poch needed months to revive Blues, it took Magpies only 90 seconds to void it all

It's still a long way for Chelsea to truly reinvent their former selves.

Eddie Howe's Newcastle United tarnished all those hopes that success is near on Saturday night, as the Magpies brushed aside the Blues 4-1 at St. James' Park.

And did it basically in just 90 seconds in the second half, after going two goals up thanks to back-to-back goals from Lascelles and Joelinton. Before that exquisite black-and-white blitzkrieg, it was a rather balanced game which promised a different outcome.

We saw a tremendous first half, packed with action on both ends as the see-saw went from the Magpies' side to the Blue one as time passed.

Chelsea started the game well but found themselves behind through Newcastle's first real chance of the game. Miley picked the ball up on the edge of the box before finding Isak in the area, with the Swedish forward slotting a finish past Sanchez. That was Isak's seventh goal in only eight Premier League games this season.

However, the visitors were soon back on track, putting it past Pope against the run of play. From 25 yards out, Sterling launched a perfect free-kick to stun both motionless Pope and the entire St. James' Park to level the score.

There were no signs of a hiatus at that moment as unmarked Joelinton headed the ball wide following Trippier's corner, which should have restored the hosts' lead.

Poch's side responded with back-to-back chances by Fernandez and Badiashile, but it stayed 1-1 on the scoreboard after half an hour of cutting-edge football.

Finally, Gallagher had a perfect opportunity to turn the tables after Pope's mistake, but the former Crystal Palace midfielder squandered it.

Both teams deserved a standing ovation for that first-half display, but it turned into a lullaby after they returned from the break.

It was a slow, uninteresting match until the 60-minute mark, when all of a sudden, the Geordies hit superbly. The ball went from one side of the pitch to another before Gordon launched a magnificent cross into the area for free Lascelles, whose header went in to make it 2-1.

But it was just the first kick in the Blues' gut...

Chelsea have entirely lost their heads and managed to concede a second goal in 90 seconds. Silva mishitted a pass back to Sanchez and set up Joelinton for a simple finish.

Last but not least, St James' Park erupted for a fourth time near the end as Gordon made the most of Almiron's clever ball over the top as he ran through on goal before beating Sanchez with a low finish into the far corner.

PREMIER LEAGUE - Matchday 13

Saturday

Manchester City - Liverpool 1-1 (1-0)

/Haaland 27 - Alexander-Arnold 80/

Burnley - West Ham 1-2 (0-0)

/Rodriguez 49 pen - O'Shea 86 og, Soucek 90+1/

Luton - Crystal Palace 2-1 (0-0)

/Mengi 72, Brown 84 - Olise 75/

Newcastle - Chelsea 4-1 (1-1)

/Isak 13, Lascelles 60, Joelinton 61, Gordon 83 - Sterling 23/

Nottingham - Brighton 2-3 (1-2)

/Elanga 3, Gibbs-White 76 pen - Ferguson 26, Joao Pedro 45+4, 58 pen/

Sheffield United - Bournemouth 1-3 (0-2)

/McBurnie 90+7 - Tavernier 12, 51, Kluivert 45+3/

20.30: (5.00) Brentford (3.70) Arsenal (1.84)

Sunday

17.00: (2.45) Tottenham (3.70) Aston Villa (3.00)

19.30: (2.85) Everton (3.45) Man.Utd. (2.65)

Monday

23.00: (2.55) Fulham (3.35) Wolverhampton (3.05)

***odds are subject to change