Chelsea stage stunning comeback to draw against Newcastle United: Stats
What's the story
Chelsea staged a remarkable comeback to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United in Matchweek 17 of the Premier League 2025-26 season on Saturday. The match at St James's Park saw Nick Woltemade score twice for the home side before Chelsea's Reece James and Joao Pedro equalized in the second half. Despite the draw, Chelsea remain six points clear of Newcastle in fourth place on the Premier League table. Here are further details.
Match highlights
Newcastle's early dominance and Chelsea's resilience
Newcastle took control of the match with Woltemade scoring a brace before half-time. However, Chelsea showed their resilience as James scored a stunning free-kick just minutes into the second half. The goal changed the dynamics of the game and gave Chelsea hope for a comeback.
Match turning points
Controversial moments and Pedro's equalizer
The match also witnessed some controversial moments, including a penalty appeal from Newcastle after Trevoh Chalobah fouled Anthony Gordon in the box. However, Chelsea managed to equalize through Pedro, who capitalized on a mistake by defender Malick Thiaw to score his goal. The match ended with a missed opportunity from Newcastle's Harvey Barnes, who failed to score in the dying minutes of the game.
Do you know?
Chelsea clock this unique record in away games
As per Opta, Chelsea avoided defeat in a Premier League away game despite trailing by two-plus goals at half-time for only the fourth time, after August 1992 vs Sheffield Wednesday (3-3), September 2020 vs West Brom (3-3), and April 2024 vs Aston Villa (2-2).
Match stats
A look at the match stats
Hosts Newcastle had 47% ball possession and owned an xG of 2.26. Chelsea had 53% ball possession and an xG worth 1.25. From 11 attempts, the Magpies had 5 shots on target. Chelsea clocked 13 attempts with 4 shots on target. Newcastle created six big chances compared to Chelsea's one. Both sides managed 22 touches in the opposition box.
Information
Chelsea enjoy a six-point cushion over Newcastle
After 17 matches, the Blues own 29 points. This was their 5th draw (W8 L4). On the other hand, Eddie Howe's side are 11th. This was their 5th draw of the season (W6 L6). They own 23 points.
Blues
Key Premier League stats of Pedro and James
Former Brighton forward Pedro scored his 27th Premier League goal (A13). This was his 106th appearance. Since joining the Blues, Pedro has 5 goals and three assists from 17 Premier League matches this season. James scored his 10th goal in the Premier League. This was his 143rd appearance in the competition. He also has 20 assists under his belt. In the ongoing season, James has been involved in 5 goals (G2 A3) from 16 matches.
Record
Woltemade enters record books with his brace
Woltemade, who joined Newcastle from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, has raced to 7 Premier League goals this season (A1) from 14 matches. As per Opta, Woltemade is the fourth player to score twice within the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League game against Chelsea, after Robbie Fowler for Liverpool (Nov 1994), Paul Scholes for Manchester United (Oct 1995), and Sergio Aguero for Manchester City in (Feb 2019).