Newcastle players held fiery on-pitch inquest after Chelsea star 'killed' just as Howe predicted

Eddie Howe last week insisted Newcastle United had to focus on all of Chelsea's danger men - rather than just Cole Palmer - on Sunday afternoon. However, as the dust settles following a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, the Magpies will be fully aware they did not do nearly enough to stop the Premier League's most in-form player.

Palmer frequently found himself in acres of space during the west London clash, while whenever Newcastle did manage to get close to him, he made light work of turning out of trouble and working an opening for himself in what was an assured performance on home soil.

“Palmer has got that ability to, whatever space he has, to be able to wriggle out of tight end situations and of course if he has too much space, he will kill you the other way, so we didn’t do with him particularly well in the opening period of the game," Howe told reporters at full-time in west London.

READ MORE:Erik ten Hag sacked by Man United as Dan Ashworth makes first key decision since leaving Newcastle

READ MORE:Alan Shearer does not hold back as it gets 'very messy' at Newcastle after boardroom 'upheaval'

After Palmer slotted the ball beyond Nick Pope just four minutes into the contest, there was an immediate on-pitch inquest taking place among Newcastle's senior stars as Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton all had their say on where they felt it was going wrong in the early stages.

Throughout the afternoon it was unclear what the plan to stop Palmer, and Nicolas Jackson, looked like as both men dropped deep to receive the ball between the lines. Newcastle's midfield often wouldn't drop, meaning Schar and Burn were forced to press, before being spun with ease by one of the Chelsea attackers.

Palmer's early goal may have been disallowed but his second strike of the afternoon again highlighted Newcastle's midfield and defensive issues. After Alexander Isak lost the ball on the halfway line, the ball was prodded past two midfielders and onto the Chelsea attacker who had time and space to drive at Schar and fire beyond Nick Pope at the near post.

Sunday's loss saw an uncharacteristically poor set of displays from Burn and Schar, who have been rock solid at the back while Newcastle have struggled at the opposite end of the pitch in recent weeks. That recent form from the defensive duo is likely why Howe was quick to defend them both after Sunday's defeat.

“I’d say they’ve [Schar and Burn] done outstandingly well for a long period of time, both players, in different positions. Dan has played left-back for us as well," the Newcastle head coach said.

“I think they’ve defended fine, I don’t think that’s been our issue this season. We conceded two goals [at Chelsea], and we’re disappointed with that, but I think the disappointment for us has generally been the other way.

“In possession, we’ve been uncharacteristically off. But of course we’ll always look at how we play, and the balance of our team, and try to make those decisions to win us games.”