Newcastle United were dumped out of the FA Cup by Chelsea with a limp display against champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
United had chances in a first half in which their need for a striker was further emphasised by missed chances from Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle. Chelsea looked nervy but when Michy Batshuayi rolled home the first they proceeded to squeeze the life out of the tie.
United were hit with a sucker punch just before half-time when Batshuayi hit a second despite Jamaal Lascelles’ desperate attempts to block the shot and from that point on you knew which way the game was heading.
Chelsea dominated in the second period and Marcos Alonso’s free-kick made it three to end United’s interest in the Cup before the clocks go back for the 12th year in succession. It is now 2006 since Newcastle made it into the fifth round and this wasn’t good enough from a team that will have to pick itself up for the huge Premier League game against Burnley on Wednesday.
So who did their bit in the FA Cup? And who struggled to step up? Here are Lee Ryder’s match marks for the 3-0 reverse against Chelsea.
Time Line
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Kept the score down but was left badly exposed by his defence.
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Not convincing as Alonso eased past him time after time.
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Showed far too much respect to Batshuayi at times and went AWOL for opening goal.
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Tried to keep heads up and got five good tackles in.
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Left on the back-foot whenever Hazard felt like cranking his game up. On a tightrope after yellow card.
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Started well but pace of the game after such a long stint out caught up with him.
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At least created something going forward but is a long way from his A-game.
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Lost the ball a few times and left his team under pressure. Chelsea benefited from his mistakes.
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A decent hard working shift.
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Giving it everything but nothing seems to be coming off for him at the moment.
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Struggling to get into basic striker positions. Finding this season’s step up hard. No surprise to see his number come up.
Subs
Joselu 5 (for Gayle 63)
Won a few aerial battles but the game was gone by the time he arrived on the scene. Almost latched on to left-wing cross.
Jacob Murphy (for Manquillo 77)
Christian Atsu (for Hayden 83)
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