Chelsea player ratings vs Newcastle: Thiago Silva poor in sloppy defence with Raheem Sterling only positive

Thiago Silva had a rare off day at the back for Chelsea (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Calamitous Chelsea imploded away at threadbare Newcastle in a dismal 4-1 defeat at St James’s Park.

Reece James was sent off for a second yellow card after a 90-second second-half spell, which saw the Blues concede twice and lose in the North East.

Alexander Isak opened the scoring but Raheem Sterling equalised through a stunning free-kick as Chelsea competed well for 60 minutes.

In the 60th minute, Chelsea switched off, allowing Jamal Lascelles to put Eddie Howe’s injury-hit side ahead.

Joelinton sealed victory in the 61st minute after shocking defending from Thiago Silva, who became Chelsea’s oldest-ever player on Saturday. Anthony Gordon put further gloss on the scoreline with a fourth.

Nizaar Kinsella was at St James’s Park witnessing the action. 

Line up:

Robert Sanchez – 4

He fell over at a first-half corner, presenting an open goal to Joelinton, but he luckily missed. Not particularly at fault for any of the goals but poor at coming for crosses all afternoon.

Reece James – 4

He was the best of the sloppy defence until his lax defending got him sent off for a professional foul on Gordon.

Reece James was shown a second yellow card with 20 minutes remaining (Getty Images)

Benoit Badiashile – 4

He gave the ball away early on to put his side in danger and was arguably at fault for Lascelles’ second goal.

Thiago Silva – 4

He looked every bit Chelsea’s oldest-ever outfield player when he gave away the ball for Joelinton to seal the victory. It was a rare poor afternoon for the legendary defender.

Marc Cucurella – 4

He switched off when his backline tried to play an offside, keeping Isak on for his opening goal.

Enzo Fernandez – 5

He gave the ball away with his first pass but finally got a shot on target midway through the first half, forcing Nick Pope into a save.

Lesley Ugochukwu – 5

Got very stuck in against a physical Newcastle side but didn’t close down Gordon’s cross well enough as he set up the Toon’s second goal.

Conor Gallagher – 5

He curled the first shot of the game wide after a good run but fluffed a chance presented to him by Nick Pope before half-time.

Cole Palmer – 5

He proved an important link player between midfield and attack but couldn’t get on the ball as much as he liked.

Raheem Sterling – 8

Sterling scored a sensational free-kick to equalise, having won the shooting chance himself on the break.

Raheem Sterling levelled it up with a wonderful free-kick (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Nicolas Jackson – 5

Worked hard but carried almost no goal threat. Looked angry when substituted.

Substitutes

Moises Caicedo – 5

Unable to impact the game at all as Chelsea imploded.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 6

The game was gone when he came on, but he produced some nice touches.

Armando Broja – 5

The game was gone by the time he came on.

Levi Colwill – 5

A thankless task coming on after James’s red card, but couldn’t stop the goals from going in.

Unused subs: Petrovic; Disasi, Maatsen; Madueke, Matos