Chelsea will go into the six-week break for the World Cup outside of the European places after a poor defeat away at Newcastle.
The Blues were dominated as they played for a draw at St James’s Park, with Joe Willock’s second-half long-range strike separating the two sides.
The 1-0 defeat leaves the Blues in eighth place and eight points away from the top four, nine behind Eddie Howe’s high-flying Toon.
Nizaar Kinsella was in the North East to rate the players after their third consecutive league defeat.
Edouard Mendy - 6
Edouard Mendy didn’t have to make a save until the 50th minute after Chelsea’s defensive game plan, but he did so well at his feet from Longstaff. He was eventually beaten but the shot was too good and unsavable.
He claimed every cross well and his kicking improved after a run in the team following Kepa Arrizabalaga’s injury.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 5
A highly defensive display, the Blues captain was solid but substituted at half-time after Chelsea barely created anything with him on the pitch.
Trevoh Chalobah - 5
Through no fault of his own, he risked giving a penalty away at the end of the first half. The ball just struck his hand as he went to ground but it was rightly not given by referee Robert Jones or VAR Andrew Madley. He could possibly have smelled the danger more for Willock’s goal.
Kalidou Koulibaly - 6
Rose to Newcastle’s physicality early on, but was beaten by Almiron’s dribbling who set up the goal. He also appeared to tweak his hamstring but bravely continued.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - N/A
Loftus-Cheek came off injured inside six minutes having touched the ball just twice.
Jorginho - 4
Booked for a cynical tackle on Bruno Guimaraes, he couldn’t help Chelsea build from the back to his usual standard.
Mateo Kovacic - 4
The Croatia international was also really poor playing out from the back and saw a shot blocked in the 63rd minute. Not his finest match.
Lewis Hall - 6
On his Premier League debut, the 18-year-old looked assured. He created Chelsea’s first chance of the game and produced an impressive dribble and crossfield ball in the 34th minute. He was, however, by far mostly focused on defensive duties than going forward. He came off tired in the second half as Chelsea chased the game.
Mason Mount - 4
Mount produced an impressive cross for Broja which was cut out by Dan Burn midway through the first half. That was one of his few attacking actions but his work rate was exemplary, carrying out Potter’s defensive plan.
Armando Broja - 5
The 21-year-old was involved in a physical battle with Fabian Schar and Sven Botman all game. He had his side’s first shot after a good first touch out of his feet but it was easily saved by Nick Pope. It was a tough ask for the Albanian who had to be an outlet in a highly defensive team. He was eventually substituted.
Conor Gallagher -7
Playing in the forward line, the box-to-box midfielder took advantage of just his sixth start for Chelsea. He was in to match the physicality that Eddie Howe’s side has. An excellent physical display but the forwards were perhaps too preoccupied with their defensive duties.
After playing out of position in the first half, he became the latest to play wing back after never doing so before in his professional career. He went close to scoring in the 65th minute with a curling shot in an awkward position. An eventful match for the hard-working midfielder.
Substitutes
Thiago Silva - 6
Curiously not starting despite being rested against Manchester City midweek, Silva stepped in to play 85 minutes at St James’s Park.
Christian Pulisic - 6
The US men’s national team captain came on at half-time for Azpilicueta but had little impact on the game apart from his dribble to create Gallagher’s second-half half-chance.
Kai Havertz - N/A
Hakim Ziyech - N/A
Marc Cucurella - N/A
Unused substitutes: Bettinelli; Zakaria; Hutchinson, Aubameyang
