Chelsea

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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I was exactly where I wanted to be at midday on Sunday, sitting on the halfway line as the Newcastle v Chelsea game kicked off. Too close a game to call before the whistle, it looked anything but that after just a couple of minutes.

‌Eddie Howe spotted a weakness in the Chelsea line up and the chink in their armour was their player of the year, Moises Caicedo. Enzo Maresca wanted his best players on the field. Romeo Lavia had been brilliant recently and Enzo Fernandez is seen as a leader, so just like last week there wasn't a midfield spot for Caicedo. No problem, stick him in at right back, he is an excellent player and a tenacious tackler. The problem is, he isn't a specialist right full-back and Howe knew it, so did Antony Gordon and the rest of his team.

‌The majority of the early Newcastle attacks pressured that precise area. You might get away with a stand-in full-back sometimes but against a specialist top-class winger, even a single positional error of a couple of yards can be costly and it was. It was mostly good luck that Howe's left-wing overloads didn't give Newcastle an unassailable lead by half-time. It should have been over as a contest when Nicolas Jackson was correctly red carded in the 34th minute.

‌Reece James and then Malo Gusto, both specialist right-backs, were brought on in the second half, and Caicedo was back to being brilliant and effective where he belongs in the midfield. With round pegs in round holes, even if there were only 10 of them, Chelsea dominated.

‌It was too late, those three dropped points may ultimately cost Chelsea a top-five position and many tens of millions of pounds. It was the quality and work rate from Newcastle, Howe's good tactics and a brilliantly noisy crowd that contributed to the win. But, the defeat was also in great part due to major mistakes by Jackson and his coach.

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Will Faulks
Fan writer

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At its best, league football is just as thrilling as a knockout competition, with even more at stake. The accumulated effort of nine months of matches are focused down to a few moments: thousands of minutes of playing time, hundreds of goals and dozens of results, all leading to a single instant which pays them off - or makes them irrelevant.

Chelsea fans felt that acutely in the moment where the first replays of Nicolas Jackson's arm to the neck of Sven Botman appeared on their screens on Sunday. A truly unique season in terms of the difference between its highs and its lows: great results and terrible results, a title race and relegation form in the space of a couple of months, all threatening to be turned into a moot point by a single rash action.

If that's how the fans feel, one can only imagine how Jackson's fellow players feel. The blood, sweat and tears they've put into this campaign might end up being - with respect to the Europa League - for nothing.

But football does like its redemption stories, and one can't rule that out here. Jackson won't get the chance to make amends in the league this season thanks to his suspension for the remaining games, and by the time we reach August and he's able to play again, he is likely to have some very expensive competition up front.

So while the Club World Cup was already very important for Chelsea financially, for Jackson it has now become important personally. It's a first opportunity to start earning back some faith from his supporters and from his colleagues. It will be a long road to forgiveness, but he can take the first steps in the USA.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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BBC Sport's football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella has been answering your questions on the transfer window.

Chris: Chelsea surely need a striker. Who do you think is the most likely at the moment?

Nizaar: If I were to hazard a guess then I would say Ipswich striker Liam Delap is the most likely, given the connection key recruiter Joe Shields has to the player. His £30m release clause will also be seen as an opportunity by those at Stamford Bridge.

In saying that, Chelsea are quite guarded on which player is most likely to join.

One reason is that in Delap's case, for example, Manchester United are in the race. Another reason is Arsenal want a big-name striker, with both clubs also looking at Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres.

Even Victor Osimhen from Napoli (on loan at Galatasaray) isn't being ruled out at this stage, but Chelsea found his wage demands prohibitive when negotiating for him last summer.

I think Chelsea will be aggressive in signing a striker and end up with a capable option to complement Nicolas Jackson.

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy was critical of Chelsea's preparation for their vital game at Newcastle United on Sunday.

Losing 2-0 was damaging for Enzo Maresca's side as they strive to qualify for the Champions League next season.

"Chelsea players and manager didn't have a plan and they weren't prepared - I'll go as far as to say that," Murphy said on Match of the Day. "There's a few reasons why - mentally, as a player you have to be prepared for the ferocious press you are going to get.

"Pressing and going after the ball - was it strategic or planned? I don't think so because when [Newcastle] got the pass around the corner they had five against four. They were throwing men forward trying to press - it didn't look structured. It didn't look like they were worked on.

"There's nothing wrong with trying to play good football anywhere but you've got to be able to vary your play and make decisions on how the game is going. It didn't feel like the players were capable and they hadn't been given a plan from the coach."

Watch Match of the Day 2 here

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

John: Nicolas Jackson is simply not good enough for a club with Chelsea's ambition. He needs to be sold this summer and replaced by a top striker with a cool head.

Gary: I'm sorry, but I have never been a big fan of Nicolas Jackson, and I don't think he is the answer to our ongoing centre-forward problem. Today, he showed his true colours by getting himself stupidly sent off after 30 minutes in what was probably one of our most important games of the season. He could well have cost us a place in the Champions League next season. Couldn't knock the rest of the team's efforts after his dismissal, but it was an uphill struggle after that.

Phillip: Poor start to the game and the defence being switched off from the first minute against a good Newcastle side is a risk. Jackson's poor decision-making once again proves he is unable to consistently deliver at the top level. Good second-half performance, and hopefully we can beat Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

Jack: Jackson's lack of discipline and petulance has cost us before and it will cost us again. He's got so much ability, but that kind of mistake is what will continue to make him a divisive figure in the club. So disappointing to see that kind of play from such a key player at such an important point in the season. What a shame.

Dave: Silly needless foul by Jackson. No need. No excuse. Despite playing well in the second half, we need proper firepower in attack. Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho don't create or score enough. Needed: potent attackers.

Jeff: Frustrated, We didn't seem to have a plan for this game. Everyone knows what you are going to get from Newcastle, They are a bullish-physical side. They get three to four bookings every week. Chelsea needed more beef in the line-up including a big centre-half. We are lightweight. This has to change if we are to compete in Europe.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Southampton 0-0 Man City

• Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa

• Manchester United 0-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester

• Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle: "In this stadium it's already difficult, but to come here and for one hour to play with 10 players is not easy. Second half the team showed effort, spirit, energy, unbelievable. We must keep this spirit and energy for Friday.

"We had three clear chances second half, Cucurella, Enzo [Fernandez] and Reece [James]. The important thing is to arrive there. Unfortunately we didn't score. My message in the last five or six games was the game is gone, move on."

On Nicolas Jackson's red card: "It's not only for today, for the next two games, for him the season is finished. If the referee decides it's red it's because they decide and they are convinced. It can be easy to make some decisions like this in this stadium with its noise."

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Chelsea have lost six of their last nine away games in the Premier League (W1 D2). Since Christmas Day, only Leicester City (before their visit to Nottingham Forest later) and Southampton (both 4) have picked up fewer away points in the competition than Enzo Maresca's side (5).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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Five matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:00)

• Manchester United v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Crystal Palace - live on the BBC Sport website

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 14:15 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

It's great to see two teams going head-to-head in this race for the top five and Chelsea probably come into it in better form after getting a great result against Liverpool on Sunday.

Yes, they were playing straight after Liverpool had won the title and the Reds had probably been celebrating all week, but they still had to put them away and they did that convincingly.

It means Enzo Maresca's side have won their past three league games so they will be full of confidence ahead of this one, but it's going to be tough for them to extend that run.

We know Maresca is a stickler for playing out from the back, but doing that against Newcastle is asking for trouble. The Magpies will put them under serious pressure, because that's what they do to teams at St James' Park.

Newcastle have got a very physical midfield which might be where the battle is won and lost, and of course Alexander Isak is such a threat too.

Chelsea have got match-winners too, if Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are firing, and my first thought was that there will be lots of goals in this game.

With what's at stake, though, it might be a little cagier than that. I think the BBC readers will go for a draw but I am going to stick my neck out and say Newcastle will edge it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Ross Mooring
Fan writer

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With the race for Champions League football reaching the final few hurdles, we asked our fan contributors of five clubs involved to let us know if their team will make the top five and if not, what happens next...

Chelsea are going to make the top five because…

Of the belief generated by the 3-1 win over Liverpool. Arguably the last time the club beat another top team in the league was December's 3-0 victory at home to Aston Villa.

That match also featured a positive display from the returning Romeo Lavia, whose all-round game knitted the midfield together and allowed Enzo Fernandez to push higher up the pitch. The Argentina international scored remarkably similar goals in both matches.

The extra freedom this provides Cole Palmer could reignite Chelsea's attack and, allied with a recent improvement in defence, will hopefully see the Blues secure the two, if not three, results needed against Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

If Nicolas Jackson returns to form as well, suddenly everything will be smelling of roses.

But if they don't qualify, it will make for…

Uncomfortable news for everyone at the club - from the sporting directors down to the supporters.

Questions will be asked of the strategy of spending hundreds of millions on youthful prospects when just one or two more blue-chip talents would probably have seen Chelsea keep Liverpool under pressure at the top for longer.

Even a Conference League win will keep the spotlight on Enzo Maresca's performance as manager, after nearly four months of largely poor performances and results against lower opposition, as well as some eyebrow-raising news conferences, all of which has divided the fanbase.

With Liverpool rumoured to be interested in Palmer, no Champions League football could see the Blues lose the club's most talented player since Eden Hazard.

Everything really would be back to square one at Stamford Bridge then.

Find more from Ross Mooring at Chelsea Fancast, external

Here is what the other four contenders' fans thought about the race for Champions League football...

Man City will make the top five because "simply, we are one of the best teams in the country"

Newcastle will make the top five because "we have the number one striker in world football"

Nottingham Forest will make the top five because of a "more favourable" run-in

Aston Villa will make the top five because "we know exactly what we need to do"

On the latest episode of his BBC Sounds podcast, Kyle Walker talks about Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool's title, the race for the Champions League and dealing with injury at AC Milan.

Listen to the episode

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle (kick-off 12:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the importance of Sunday's match: "It's a big one, huge one. Manchester United will be a big one and Nottingham Forest will be a big one. We have three big games. Sunday is a chance, for sure, to start in a good way. We are on a good run, in a good mood so hopefully we can play a good game and win."

• He added: "Players need to focus on the Newcastle game because it is the next one. They need to be thinking that this is the last game of the season, give everything and then we will see at the end."

• The Chelsea boss has "no idea" how many points they will need to finish in the top five as it "depends on the other results", but the "focus is to try to win the three games we have".

• Maresca said the midday kick-off is "not an ideal situation" after playing late on Thursday, so they "need to adapt immediately and play the game in the best way".

• On if it is frustrating that they have not made Champions League qualification easier for themselves: "No, the frustration is we create enough chances to win the games and we didn't win, but now is not the time to think about that. Now is the time to win as much as we can in the last three games. In terms of data, xG, chances missed, I think it shows we could have more points but it is what it is and we have to win the next games we have."

• He feels his midfield is now set with the return of Romeo Lavia and added: "After the Liverpool game some of you asked me about repeating the same XI for both the Everton and Liverpool games after six months. It is important when you can keep continuing with the same players when fit. We have Moi [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez] is doing well and we have Romeo back. Cole [Palmer] is also doing well."

• On if Alexander Isak is Newcastle's biggest threat: "Isak is a top player but he is not the only one. They have top players and we need to work as a team to stop them as a team."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Chelsea reached the UEFA Conference League final having rested many of their Premier League regulars through the competition. Should Enzo Maresca stick with the players that have got them through or recall the likes of Cole Palmer to face Real Betis?

Chelsea supporter Charlie Patrick tells The Football News Show why manager Enzo Maresca should pick the best team to win the trophy rather than stand on sentiment.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer