Ciaran Clark has revealed that Steve Bruce told his side to put Chelsea under more pressure in the second half at St James' Park.
Bruce commented after the game that his players had operated "too deeply" in the first half and invited pressure from the visitors.
The Republic of Ireland international, playing his first game of the season since a long-term injury, made a vital clearance in the second half to keep Timo Werner at bay and got on the ball to play out 37 passes from the back.
But his efforts could not help Newcastle avoid defeat and the Magpies go back to the drawing board for the next game against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Clark, speaking to NUFC TV, said: "It's not simple, we knew the quality they had and we tried to keep it tight and force them wide.
"We wanted to keep good shape and frustrate them.
"When we concede in the first 10 minutes it makes it a bit easier for them then.
"They can keep the ball.
"Maybe sometimes we didn't put them under enough pressure.
"It was something we addressed at half-time.
"The manager said: 'Go out this is how we'll do it, and we did it (put them under pressure).
"We created a couple of chances and put them under pressure."
Clark also felt Newcastle could have made it a different game had they taken one of their chances.
Clark said: "I am pleased to be back out on the pitch after being injured a long spell but I think we are frustrated with the result.
"The first one was an own goal and the second one we had a set-piece and they broke away and scored.
"We knew before the game the quality they had and how quick they were.
"We wanted to avoid that if possible.
"Second half we put them under more pressure and we created some nice opportunities and chances.
"Another day one of them goes in and it's different game."
