Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has acknowledged that Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson presented significant challenges during their 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Howe noted that the duo’s early contributions troubled Newcastle’s defense, particularly in the first half.
Chelsea started the match strongly, and although Palmer initially had a goal disallowed for offside after a VAR review, he played a crucial role in the opening goal.
His precise pass set up Pedro Neto, whose low cross was finished by Jackson, putting Chelsea ahead.
Newcastle managed to equalize through Alexander Isak before halftime, but Palmer’s excellent finish just two minutes into the second half secured Chelsea’s victory.
When asked about the difficulty Newcastle faced in the early stages, Howe responded, “Yeah, it was. Palmer has the ability to wriggle out of tight situations. If he has too much space, he’ll kill you the other way.”
He also highlighted that Jackson caused problems for their defense, but believed Newcastle started to find their rhythm as the match progressed. However, he pointed out that the disappointing start to the second half ultimately cost them.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca expressed a desire for his team to avoid relying solely on quick counter-attacks, indicating that while attacking quickly can lead to conceding, they aim for a more controlled style of play.
He praised the attacking capabilities of players like Palmer, Neto, and Jackson, who excel in creating scoring opportunities in the final third.
In summary, both managers recognized the impact of Chelsea’s attacking players, which played a pivotal role in the outcome of the match.
Eddie Howe admits Chelsea’s Palmer and Jackson posed significant challenges in their 2-1 loss. Maresca seeks a balanced approach, avoiding over-reliance on quick counters.