Newcastle vs Chelsea: Blues fight back to rescue draw, easing pressure on Maresca

LONDON: Chelsea saved Enzo Maresca from more awkward questions as they came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Blues looked on course for a damaging defeat after Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade struck twice in the first half. But Chelsea responded in the second half, with Reece James curling a superb free-kick into the top corner before Joao Pedro capped a brilliant solo effort to secure a point. The result keeps Chelsea fourth in the Premier League, halting a troubling run of just one win in five matches.

The comeback was particularly crucial for Maresca after a turbulent week that cast doubt over his long-term future at the club. On Friday, he dismissed reports linking him to Manchester City as “100 percent speculation,” despite being named among the candidates to replace Pep Guardiola should the City boss depart at the end of the season. The City speculation followed Maresca’s public criticism of the lack of support from Chelsea’s hierarchy, after describing the previous 48 hours following the Everton win as his worst at the club.

After making 11 changes for Chelsea’s League Cup quarter-final win over Cardiff on Tuesday, Maresca returned to his senior stars, only to see them make a dismal start on foggy Tyneside. Woltemade, determined to make amends after a costly own goal against Sunderland last weekend, scored in the fourth minute after a scramble in the box. Chelsea’s defensive frailties were exposed again in the 20th minute as Anthony Gordon’s precise cross allowed Woltemade to poke home once more, with a VAR check confirming he was onside.

Chelsea improved after the break. James’s sublime free-kick in the 49th minute gave them hope, and despite Newcastle being controversially denied a penalty for a foul on Gordon, the visitors continued to press. Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Joao Pedro cleverly headed Robert Sanchez’s long clearance past Malick Thiaw before finishing clinically. Maresca’s relief was clear as he celebrated with a jubilant jig on the touchline, a rare moment of joy after a week of scrutiny and speculation.