Chelsea salvages a point against Newcastle

Chelsea narrowly escaped yet another shocking loss at the hands of Newcastle United on Saturday, scoring twice late in the second half to overturn a 2-0 deficit and leave St. James' Park with a point.

A loss was on the cards up until Chelsea scored in the 79th minute through Ramires, and would have condemned the London club to its worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

But it wasn't so. For all the things Newcastle did well - pressing early in the match, taking shots from multiple angles, forcing Chelsea's backup goalkeeper Asmir Begovic into big saves - it could not preserve the lead it worked hard to build.

Goals from Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum on either side of halftime handed Newcastle that advantage.

Perez scored before the half, controlling a cross with ease and volleying the first strike of the match. Wijnaldum made it 2-0 in the 60th minute when he beat midfielder Cesc Fabregas and defender Branislav Ivanovic to a header on a corner kick.

At the time, Newcastle and its manager Steve McClaren looked set to win their first Premier League match of the season.

But it was Chelsea's substitutes who gave life to the comeback.

A beautiful long-range strike from Ramires in the 79th minute, followed by a free-kick from Willian, kept the Blues from suffering a fourth loss to Newcastle in six meetings.

There was an incredible sense of optimism at St. James Park, however. The stadium was brimming as its side pressured Chelsea early in the match. After the opening 30 minutes, Newcastle had attempted six shots to Chelsea's two, pushing up the field every chance they could get.

There was no fearlessness here. The Magpies could sense another upset in a season of many. The Blues have suffered tremendously on the road, conceding two goals in a fourth away game running.

Manager Jose Mourinho himself has never won at Newcastle. There is something about these fans - no matter the position of their club, which is still stuck in 19th place - that puts off Chelsea.

A draw salvages some dignity, but the fact remains that Chelsea has only eight points from seven games. The only Premier League champion to suffer a worse start to its title defence was Blackburn in 1995-96. It's dire times indeed.