Alan Shearer calls it perfectly ‘Newcastle United absolutely battered Chelsea…’

Alan Shearer has given his verdict on Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2.

The United legend reacting to what he witnessed at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Talking on The Rest is Football, Alan Shearer declaring; “Newcastle United absolutely battered Chelsea in the first half. Chelsea looked as if they didn’t know what hit them.”

The Newcastle United fan saying that Eddie Howe’s side; “Were all over Chelsea, they didn’t let them play.”

Alan Shearer believing; “I think that Newcastle’s first-half performance was the best I have seen this season from them and I thought everything that was missing against Sunderland, the aggression, the energy, the pace.”

The fact that Eddie Howe now has both his summer signings fit to play up front was a huge factor I think, Nick Woltemade able to put so much into the opening 70 minutes, knowing then Yoane Wissa available to come off the bench and keep that intensity going.

Gary Lineker adding: “Newcastle United bounced back well from that result [against Sunderland], because they had the good win in midweek against Fulham, into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, defending your trophy, Alan. And I think they probably should have won that game [against Chelsea]. Particularly the way they played in the first half.”

Alan Shearer pointing out correctly; “I thought Newcastle had enough chances [to win the match].

The former number nine though also making clear the danger that is there when you don’t go four or five goals up as Newcastle United could and should have done.

Goals change matches and that is what happened with Reece James scoring the free-kick just after half-time; “Newcastle were brilliant in the first half and deserved their 2-0 lead, but if you ever need an example of goals changing games, then that piece of brilliance from Reece James, the free-kick, changed it completely.”

He’s not wrong, although Aaron Ramsdale should never have been beaten by that free-kick from 30+ yards out, no matter how well placed, James was always going for that spot.

Obviously the appalling match officials denying Newcastle United so many clear and obvious decisions, simply rubbed salt in the wounds of United players failing to take so many chances.