Chelsea player ratings vs Newcastle as Reece James inspiring but three 4/10s flop

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2-2 CHELSEA: Full Blues' player ratings from St. James' Park as the west Londoners fought back to earn a point on Tyneside

A second-half fightback from Chelsea has earned them a point against Newcastle United at St. James' Park with Enzo Maresca's half-time team talk working wonders.

It was the worst possible start for the Blues with Nick Woltemade opening the scoring inside the opening four minutes. Woltemade tapped in after Robert Sanchez saved Anthony Gordon's close-range shot following some sloppy play in possession from the visitors.

It wasn't long until it was two for the Magpies. Woltemade again, this time with Gordon finding the big striker, who volleyed past Sanchez.

Chelsea replied in the second-half courtesy of a fantastic free-kick from Reece James. The Blues pushed for an equaliser and were eventually rewarded via a bit of fortune, with Malick Thiaw slipping and allowing a clean run at goal for Joao Pedro, who finished calmly.

The visitors looked the more likely to score a winning goal but Newcastle just about kept them at bay. Below, football.london rates the Chelsea players based on their performance:

Robert Sanchez

Really good save to deny Gordon inside the first 10 minutes. Came out and dealt with crosses well. Gets the assist for Joao Pedro's equaliser. One of Chelsea's best players. 7.

Malo Gusto

Gusto was a bit sloppy with his marking for Woltemade's first goal. Sleeping a bit at the back post and allowed a great chance for the hosts that turned into the opening goal. 4.

Wesley Fofana

Fofana gave the ball away too easily in his own half for the opening goal. Really sloppy from the Frenchman, who is usually much better in possession. 4.

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah was not helped by, what was at times, chaos around him. You would have liked to have seen more from the defender in his physical battles with Woltemade. 5.

Marc Cucurella

Cucurella really struggled. In these types of games, when the crowd is firmly on his back, the Spaniard usually stands up to the challenge, but today he wilted. A couple of times, he just went to boot the ball down the line, usually looking for Alejandro Garnacho, but they went out of play. 6.

Moises Caicedo

Caicedo didn't look his brilliant best out there. Not terrible by any means but Chelsea needed a bit more from the Ecuadorian this afternoon. 5.

Reece James

A fantastic free-kick to get Chelsea back into the game early in the second-half. In off the post. He was so much better in the second-half. A fantastic last-ditch challenge on Harvey Barnes on 78 minutes to prevent what looked a certain goal. 8.

Pedro Neto

Not Neto's day. He was trying the right things but very rarely did they come off for the winger, who cut an extremely frustrated figure out there. 5.

Cole Palmer

Trying to make things happen at least, but not at his best execution-wise. Frustrating afternoon for Chelsea's No.10. 5.

Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho had so many shots. Needed to pass it more. Lost the ball a lot. 4.

Joao Pedro

He was very, very quiet but all of the sudden, he made a huge impact. Sanchez's kick towards the Brazilian caused chaos and Thiaw's slip allowed Chelsea's No.20 to run in on goal and finish expertly. 6.

Enzo Fernandez (on for Gusto 54')

Came on with Maresca looking to add more attacking impetus. Didn't have too much of an impact but played some nice passes. There seemed to be more control when he came on. 6.

Andrey Santos (on for Palmer 80')

Not enough time to make the desired impact. Booked. N/A.