Gritty Chelsea spare Jose Mourinho more Newcastle United misery

Sport360 staff 23:08 26/09/2015
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  • Comeback: Willian (r) and Ramires.

    Jose Mourinho is still to win a Premier League game at Newcastle, but the Chelsea boss must have felt like he was celebrating a victory after his side came from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

    Trailing to goals from Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum, the reigning champions looked like suffering a fourth defeat in the space of seven Premier League matches when they were still 2-0 behind with 11 minutes left at St James' Park.

    But after Brazilian midfielder Ramires clawed a goal back with a sensational long-range finish, his compatriot Willian's floated free-kick found its way beyond Tim Krul in the 86th minute to complete a gritty comeback from the visitors.

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    Chelsea might even have claimed a winner with Ramires forcing a fantastic last-minute save from Krul, but their comeback still provided a timely riposte to those who were questioning their character after a stuttering start to the season.

    Newcastle's spirited showing was also a welcome tonic after a difficult few weeks on Tyneside, but Steve McClaren's side are still searching for their first league victory and remain in the bottom three.

    The Magpies went into the game reeling from their humiliating midweek League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, but hardly looked a team devoid of confidence as they tore into Chelsea from the outset.

    With Perez outstanding at the apex of the midfield, and Aleksandar Mitrovic providing a much-needed physical presence as the striker returned from a three-match suspension, the hosts were more threatening than they had been in any of their games since the opening day of the season.

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