Kai Havertz’ goal against Newcastle was already two years ago.
It felt like it could be a big moment – Chelsea were stumbling through takeover chaos and struck by injuries, but they had Thomas Tuchel, were making cup finals and going deep in the Champions League, and it felt like a good summer of spending could sort out the squad and put them back in the mix.
Since then we’ve fallen away, Newcastle have taken our place, and the results reflect it.
We lost our next game to the Magpies 1-0 in the following season, with Graham Potter in charge. By the time the return fixture came around – 1-1 draw, Frank Lampard was in the dugout.
Our two meetings this season have seen a comfortable win for Eddie Howe’s team in the North East, plus a narrow penalty win in the League Cup for us back in December.
Tonight is the night to get back to winning ways and show that we’re getting closer, and not further away, from the top teams.
