Newcastle United – Chelsea: Howe’s New Game Plan Pays Off (2-0)

Eddie Howe went with an unexpected 3-4-3 system for this match, and it helped Newcastle earn a first-half lead with high pressing and fast attacks. Newcastle's level dropped somewhat in the second half, even though they faced a Chelsea side who were down to ten men. Eventually though, the home side claimed an important three points in the race for Champions League soccer.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

We decided to make this article free to read. If you want to support our work, consider taking a subscription.

The race for the Premier League title and the battle to avoid relegation may be sewn up in the Premier League, but the race for top five is very much still on. Sunday saw a clash of two top-five hopefuls in the shape of Newcastle and Chelsea, both looking to ward off pressure from teams behind such as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle deviated from their usual 4-3-3 system here, instead using a 3-4-3 shape. Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn were the back three, with Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento as wing-backs. Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali partnered in central midfield, while ahead of them was a front trio of Harvey Barnes, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon.

Enzo Maresca meanwhile lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Moisés Caicedo was deployed at right back and was joined in defense by Trevoh Chalobah, Levi . . .