Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith gives verdict on Newcastle’s display against Chelsea

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Alan Smith has praised Newcastle’s performance against Chelsea.

Pundit Alan Smith has told Sky Sports that Newcastle’s performance against Chelsea was “100% better” – despite giving away two late goals.

The Magpies entered the game in turmoil having lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup, and with no league wins, they faced a daunting task against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

However, Newcastle produced their best performance of the season so far, going 2-0 up thanks to goals from Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum.

However, Brazilian duo Ramires and Willian hit back in the final 11 minutes to rescue a point for Chelsea, with the game ending 2-2 at St. James’ Park.

Manager Steve McClaren finally got a positive performance out of his team, and fans finally have something to be optimistic about after a torrid start to the season.

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith spoke after the game, and admitted that Newcastle’s attitude was “100% better” against Chelsea, and believes that there could be better times on the horizon for Magpies fans.

“At 2-0 up, you’re hoping to see it out, but deep down he must have been immensely proud of the team,” said Smith. “It was a backs-against-the-wall situation, he said they had to draw a line in the sand after that Sheffield Wednesday defeat, and the only was up from there on – and it was up.”

“Their attitude was 100% better, they had fight, desire, hunger in their play, in that first half particularly, and hopefully for them, they’ll be thinking that it can be a signal for better things to come – and it had to be that way,” he added.

Whilst the performance was positive, Newcastle still need their first win of the season – and a trip to face Manchester City next weekend is another tough game for McClaren.

Yet if they can replicate the display they showed against Chelsea, Newcastle can grind out a result against City, just as they did at Manchester United earlier this season – but they need to show that fight, desire and hunger again, rather than let it be a one-off performance.