Sandro Tonali got the Magpies off to a flying start with a goal in the second minute, setting the tone for a dominant display. Chelseaās chances took a major hit when Nicolas Jackson received a straight red card for elbowing Sven Botman late in the first half. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Chelsea attempted to hold firm, but Bruno Guimaraes sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike, ensuring Newcastle claimed their seventh victory in nine league outings.
The win pushed Newcastle to third place in the table, now three points ahead of sixth-placed Aston Villa, and kept them firmly on course for Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.
Eddie Howe praised his sideās grit, saying, āWe hung in there. We got over the line and thatās the major thing in a game like today.ā
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s first defeat in seven league games has cast doubt over their top-five hopes. With tough fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest remaining, manager Enzo Maresca faces a nail-biting end to the campaign.
āItās already difficult playing 11 v 11 in this stadium, so with 10 men it was even harder,ā Maresca admitted.
Elsewhere, Arsenal showed resilience at Anfield by coming back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz had put the Reds in control in the first half, but Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back for Arsenal before Mikel Merino leveled the score. Merino, however, was sent off for a second yellow card with 11 minutes remaining.
Despite being reduced to ten men, the Gunners held on for a crucial point. Arsenal remain second in the table, five points ahead of Villa, and look well-placed to secure Champions League qualification with just one more point likely to be enough.
In other dramatic developments, Manchester Unitedās poor season continued with a 2-0 home defeat to West Ham.
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen were on target for the Hammers, who leapfrogged United in the standings. Erik ten Hagās team now sit 16th and risk recording their worst league finish since their 1973-74 relegation.
Adding to their woes, key defender Leny Yoro suffered a foot injury, putting his availability for the upcoming Europa League final in doubt.
Tottenhamās struggles also deepened after a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace, just days after booking their place in the Europa League final.
Eberechi Eze scored both goals for Palaceāone on the stroke of half-time and another just after the breakāleaving Spurs teetering just above the drop zone.
Under immense pressure, manager Ange Postecoglouās job hangs in the balance despite the club reaching their first final since 2008.
With just two games remaining, the Premier League top-five race and relegation battle promise an intense finish to the season.
