It was the final of the Europa League without the trophy, but the price of victory for Newcastle is much larger.
Three other points and they will be in the Champions League next season. They knew what was at stake in this shooting at noon. Like the European final waiting for Manchester United and Tottenham, it seemed that the winners would be as good as guaranteed next season in the first continent competition.
You might even have been in Bilbao, this was the heat that beat St James’ Park. It was even warmer, but Newcastle had the coolest man in the Stade Sandro Tonali and, because of this, they took a second minute lead that would not be abandoned.
Not that it is simple for the team of Eddie Howe, who withered and could not enjoy the red card of Nicolas Jackson. It was only in the 90th minute that Bruno Guimaraes calmed the nerves in black and white with a second.
But while Italy had Pope Leo and his first address of the Vatican, Newcastle had Saint Sandro. The start at home was faster than anything they have produced this season, and it is a competitive field.
The big nights here against Chelsea and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup were special blisters. But that threatened to tear the skin from the blues. Tonali was the first flag holder.
Newcastle reached the third in the Premier League after beating Chelsea 2-0 in St James’ Park
After the first goal of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes (photo) sealed victory with a late clinler
Chelsea’s task was reinforced much more difficult by the dismissal of Nicolas Jackson in the first half
Romeo Lavia thought he had time when receiving a passage a few meters outside his own penalty zone. He didn’t do it. Tonali turned to the midfielder without mistrust faster than the Geordies had the club’s free pint before the match. It was Chelsea who looked without a leg.
Tonali won the ball, gave it to Guimaraes and sent his Ferrari Motoring engine for the goal, where the nasty delivery of Jacob Murphy landed with kindness for him to return to his home. A goal in two minutes.
It looked like the easy part, maintaining the intensity for another 88 would be much more difficult. In fact, it turned out to be impossible, in particular with Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman who made their first departures since before the final of the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea just took control when Jackson lost his and won a elbow on Sven Botman’s face in the 33rd minute.
It was not necessary to do what he did. A central rear equaling a center-forward, perhaps. But an attacker trying to intimidate a 6 -foot 5 -inch defender who was still going to come back for more?
What gave the game for Jackson was the look to Botman a fraction of a second before contact, betraying his intention. John Brooks thought it was a yellow in real time, but Stockley Park had access to classified X reruns and therefore, after a pitch review, he left.
The boss of Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, was quickly reserved. It could have been for its sidelines of touchline or its salmon jumper. Anyway, his team put the place.
But then, in the second half, they were the best side. Nick Pope, a spectator for an hour, needed his fingers to refuse Marc Cucuella an equalizer. Then, the same thing, this time by brushing Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues striker received a straight red card after a varification var on this elbow on Sven Botman
Toon almost qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons
Eddie Howe’s men need one more victory to effectively get a finish among the first five this campaign
Enzo Maresca watched his team stabilize the match and was reserved when they remained fifth
Newcastle was on the strings. Then, in the last minute of normal times, Tarzan swayed at the rescue.
Guimaraes, the captain, withdrew the ball at 20 meters away and looked at 52,000 others in absolute joy while his deviated shot sailed on Robert Sanchez and for the purpose of Gallowgate. It was necessary.
There was no full -time silverware, but a pot of gold is surely waiting.
