In the posh seats, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali could have been forgiven for thinking everything was going to work out. Nicolas Jackson, the Chelsea striker, scored a goal and gave Newcastle defenders nightmares. Cole Palmer, a clear candidate for signing of the season, dazzled throughout and made another vital contribution.
However, the highlight would belong to Mykhailo Mudryk. Mauricio Pochettino, who has been under so much pressure, burst into joy as the £89m winger came off the bench to seal a resounding 3-2 win for Chelsea. It was a glorious goal, a wonderful display of Mudryk's explosive talent, and Newcastle's hopes of finishing seventh were over. They remain tenth after a sloppy performance, just one point above a resurgent Chelsea.
Both teams can point to injuries as the reason for their inconsistent form. The medical staff's bulletins have rarely provided good news for Pochettino, whose latest adjustments were forced by Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell joining the rest of those absent before this game, although sympathy has been scarce. Chelsea fans, unaccustomed to seeing their team languish in mid-table, have not exactly reacted well. Patience with Pochettino and the hierarchy was in danger of running out before Chelsea rescued a point against Brentford last week.
However, Boehly and Eghbali were impressed by the way their team approached the challenge of containing Newcastle. Marc Cucurella, starting at left back for the first time since December, personified the fight. The Spaniard attacked every loose ball with gusto, suffocating Miguel Almirón, although there were moments when he overdid it. He should have been booked for shouting at the linesman after being penalized for clearly tripping former Chelsea right-back Tino Livramento.
Still, Pochettino must have loved the wish. Chelsea got off to an urgent start, Malo Gusto was quick to tackle Anthony Gordon and soon found holes in the Newcastle defence. The first goal, scored by Jackson after six minutes, left Eddie Howe baffled. There was a good pass from Palmer to start the play, but Newcastle's defense was poor. Sven Botman should have done more than direct Gusto's cross at Palmer and, although the winger's shot went wide, Jackson beat Martin Dubravka with an excellent move.
Chelsea were energized by Jackson's 12th goal since arriving from Villarreal. Palmer, eager to impress against Gareth Southgate, came in and tested Dubravka. Enzo Fernández jumped into the tackles in midfield. Raheem Sterling drove down the left and created an opening for Jackson, who got another save from Dubravka.
Stagnant for the first 30 minutes, Newcastle's concern grew when Gordon limped off three days before Southgate was due to name his England squad for this month's friendlies. However, Chelsea continue to make the same mistake. They are unable to stay focused and intense for 90 minutes.
Newcastle were allowed to gain a foothold after Jacob Murphy came on and Joe Willock almost equalised. Chelsea, increasingly careless, did not know how to react. Instead, they fell behind when Fernández played an ambitious pass, Gusto miscontrolled and Trevoh Chalobah came out of defense before losing to Bruno Guimarães, who sent Isak to drift inside and deflect a beautiful shot past Djordje Petrovic.
The equalizer led to a frantic spell in which Jackson had a goal disallowed, Dubravka denied Sterling and Willock almost put Newcastle ahead. The match was open, both teams failed and Newcastle threatened after the break. Almirón, moved to the left after Gordon's departure, stung Petrovic's palms.
Chelsea responded, Palmer taunting Dan Burn down the right, only for his cross to evade everyone in the middle. They counterattacked again, Palmer fed Sterling and the winger shot wide. Newcastle needed to be more careful. Chelsea found plenty of space at half-time.
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The pressure grew, Guimarães found himself with three blue shirts when he tried to dribble his way out of trouble. Newcastle were pinned and trailing when Palmer snuck into space, received a pass from Fernandez and unleashed a venomous shot past Dubravka from 20 yards.
Moisés Caicedo, whose control in the center of the field had been reinforced, had started the play by linking up with Fernández. Chelsea were rampant and should have pulled away when Sterling ran onto Jackson's move, only to ignore a pass to Palmer. Pochettino howled as Sterling's shot was cleared off the line.
Chelsea couldn't relax. Newcastle shook and Burn went wide. Chelsea's game management was under the microscope. Axel Disasi made an important challenge to Willock. Livramento's shot was blocked.
However, Newcastle's momentum fizzled out when Jackson broke down. He looked in, Conor Gallagher took a touch and Mudryk. Sensing something special was brewing, Gallagher took a step back. He had a good view of Mudryk's quick feet, balance and grace, which allowed him to overtake Fabian Schär and Dubravka, who could not prevent the Ukrainian from scoring.
The only negative about Chelsea was that Murphy pulled off a nervy finish with a stunning goal.
