Newcastle vs. Chelsea: Score and Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Chelsea came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United at St James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday.

Ayoze Perez opened the scoring shortly before half-time, before Georginio Wijnaldum doubled the host's lead in the second half. Substitutes Ramires and Willian pulled it back late on for the visitors to break Newcastle's hearts.

The Blues' campaign continues to stutter, as their woeful defending again came back to haunt them.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Aleksandar Mitrovic started for Newcastle alongside Perez after serving his three-match ban, and youngster Kevin Mbabu replaced Massadio Haidara at left-back. Meanwhile, for Chelsea, Loic Remy came in for Diego Costa, who is currently in the midst of the same suspension.

Kurt Zouma and Remy sent early warning shots past Tim Krul's goal, but the Magpies had the better of the first half and deservedly led at the break.

The Blues struggled to find any notable rhythm in the final third, while Newcastle endeavoured well up front through Mitrovic and Perez, with the latter and Mbabu having the best chances of the half.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

That is, until Perez broke the deadlock minutes before half-time, capitalising on some abysmal defending from Zouma and Branislav Ivanovic to fire home off the post.

The Chronicle's Mark Douglas highlighted Newcastle's key performers at the break, citing Mitrovic's reintroduction as a key factor in their revival:

Chelsea began stronger in the second half and pushed forward through Remy and Pedro, but the hosts grabbed a second when Cesc Fabregas allowed Wijnaldum a completely free header from a corner.

Squawka Football illustrated the Blues' worrying defensive frailty:

Things could have been worse for the visitors shortly after, as Ivanovic escaped a high boot on Mitrovic with only a yellow card.

As he got increasingly desperate, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho threw on Ramires, Willian and Radamel Falcao, and he was rewarded for his change, as they secured a point for his side.

Brazilian Ramires hit a magnificent strike past Krul from all of 25 yards, and his compatriot grabbed an equaliser four minutes from time. Willian whipped a free-kick into the area, which escaped the Dutch stopper, as Ramires threw himself at the ball, only for it to sail in without a touch.

The result will be devastating for Newcastle's already practically nonexistent confidence, having been 2-0 up, and things get worse for the Magpies when they travel to a wounded Manchester City in Week 8.

As for Chelsea, a point is a poor return against a winless side propped up only by Sunderland at the bottom of the table. They will need to improve dramatically to be sure of three points when they welcome Southampton to Stamford Bridge in their next domestic outing.

Post-Match Reaction

Despite dropping two points, Newcastle boss Steve McClaren was looking to the positives after the match. Per Chris Bevan of BBC Sport, he said:

"

A good result and a great performance, that's what we wanted. It's been a tough week and there was lots of pressure on the players today.

That was more like it. We expect and demand a performance like that and they got the crowd behind them.

You could see a determination in the players. Against the odds we grew into the game. The players showed real courage.

"

Mourinho was less upbeat than his counterpart. Per Bevan, he said:

"

We were so poor, so bad in the first half. It is possible to win the game with a good period but when you don't play for 45 minutes it's very difficult.

I told the players at half-time that I have no time to ask them why they were so bad. I want to try to understand because I don't accept it.

I am not a magician. I tried my best for the team. At half-time I said I was sorry I only had three subs as I wanted to change six.

"