Maurizio Sarri joked that breaching Newcastle United’s back-line was tougher than breaking down Serie A defences after his Chelsea side preserved their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
“It’s not too easy to play here, this match has been more difficult than Italy,” said the former Napoli coach, whose side ultimately overcame Rafael Benítez’s back five to rise to second in the table. With nine points from three games, the west London club are behind Liverpool only on goal difference.
“In Italy these tactics were usual but I never saw Rafa play with five in defence so at the beginning I was really surprised,” said Sarri, noting that his side had 81% possession. “It was so difficult for us, Newcastle were so compact, we needed to move the ball very fast. Winning here shows the character of my team. Our character is strong.”
Chelsea’s manager was delighted with Eden Hazard’s first full performance of the season following his World Cup exertions. “I think Hazard has played very well and will get better,” he said, before Benítez defended a gameplan in which it took a disputed penalty converted by Hazard and DeAndre Yedlin’s own goal to secure Chelsea’s win after Joselu’s equaliser.
“Possession means nothing,” said Newcastle’s manager, whose side have taken one point from three games. “Possession statistics are misleading, you can have 80% of it and still lose. It’s about the big picture.
“When I was at Napoli we were attacking all the time and ideally I’d like to play with five strikers but now I’m at Newcastle and I have to manage what I have.”
His approach was criticised by the Sky Sports pundits Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp but Benítez was unfazed. “You have to do what you have to do,” he said. “Yesterday Manchester City had 71% of possession against Wolves and didn’t win. Today we were close. It was frustrating to concede two goals, to a penalty that was doubtful and the other from a free‑kick that was doubtful.”
Jamaal Lascelles, Benítez’s captain, was not even on the bench. Although the centre-half has an ankle problem it is understood he had an argument with his manager before the game, with the defender keen to play the sweeper role in a new-look back three. Benítez, though, wanted him to operate on the right and has possibly used his injury as an opportunity to issue a reminder that he is the manager.
“All my life I like to talk with players,” said the coach, who was also without his injured playmaker Jonjo Shelvey. “Everyone knows that. If players have different opinions, then we have to speak about it. That’s it, and then we stick to the plan. Jamaal, hopefully, will be fine for the next game.”
